In its 120-year history Woodbrooke has grown and changed to meet the changing needs of Quakers both in Britain and further afield. From its initial conception as a one-year experiment, Woodbrooke has enabled thousands of Quakers to learn together as part of a much-valued Quaker community, supported by a dedicated team of staff, associate tutors and volunteers.
The Woodbrooke Centre in Birmingham played an important role in this work but after careful discernment, Woodbrooke Trustees announced in February 2023, that the time was right for a new chapter in Woodbrooke’s history.
“Our intention is to allow Woodbrooke to focus on its founding purpose of fostering the vital ministry of Friends and transition responsibility for the buildings and grounds of The Woodbrooke Centre to our trusted partners at Bournville Village Trust.” – Statement February 2023
As of December 2023, responsibility for The Woodbrooke Centre in Selly Oak has passed to Bournville Village Trust and both the building and it’s future are no longer in the hands of Woodbrooke (Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre). If you have any enquiries about the Centre please follow the link below to the Bournville Village Trust website.
You can now request a copy of the Memories of Woodbrooke anthology by emailing learning@woodbrooke.org.uk. This anthology reflects how much the Woodbrooke Centre has meant over the last 120 years. Stories of deep learning and spiritual depth run alongside reminiscences of cocoa, and boating on the lake; food friendship, welcome.
The Future of the Woodbrooke Centre Trustee Statement