We provide opportunities for learning, connection and worship which are rooted in the Quaker tradition and open to all. Our mission is to foster the 'vital ministry' of Quakers today and our learning programme allows participants to: deepen their understanding of the Quaker way, explore spirituality, support their communities and be inspired to bring about wider change in the world.

Our Centre for Research in Quaker Studies provides formal opportunities for study and research in all areas of Quaker Studies including degree programmes in partnership with the University of Birmingham. We also conduct our own projects and provide support to independent researchers.

Woodbrooke offers opportunities for learning:

• Through our programme of online courses and sessions with tailored resources and expert input.
• Via our Woodbrooke Where You Are workshops where our experienced tutors come to you and your community - both in person or online.
• With our residential courses and day events that we run at a number of venues across Britain.

Our values

As a Quaker organisation, we try to live our values and run Woodbrooke in accordance with these.

• Woodbrooke is committed to fostering equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and radical acceptance, where different experiences are valued and appreciated.
• Woodbrooke welcomes everyone regardless of their gender, faith, sexual orientation, class, background, ethnicity, and disability in our learning events and online worship. We want people to be able to feel safe and be themselves on our courses. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
• Woodbrooke supports and promotes the commitments expressed in minutes of Britain Yearly Meeting to becoming an actively anti-racist faith community (Yearly Meeting 2021, Minute 17) and to welcoming and affirming trans, non-binary and gender diverse people (Yearly Meeting 2021, Minute 31).
• Woodbrooke is an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer and a Disability Confident Committed employer.  Trustees carefully limit the pay ratio between our highest and lowest paid staff member.

Woodbrooke's roots are in the liberal unprogrammed branch of Quakerism. Our tutors come from a range of backgrounds and faith practices but you'll generally find silence and theological diversity is an important part of our learning and worship.

Did you know?

Woodbrooke was founded in 1903 and was the vision of George Cadbury and John Wilhelm Rowntree who saw a need amongst Friends for a ‘permanent settlement’ with a mission to ‘foster a vital Friends’ ministry’. Our mission today is still fostering a vital Friends’ ministry. For us, encouraging and enabling ministry is at the core of our Quaker approach to learning, whether that ministry is expressed through faith, witness, love or service.