Project Hub
Our long-established, successful Project Hub offers a space within which children and young people thrive. We provide an opportunity for children to develop skills and self-confidence through experiencing radical acceptance of themselves exactly as they are, as well as a belief in their ability to succeed and find joy, all within a nurturing and supportive setting.
Broadleaf runs three Project Hub sessions each week, each with a slightly different emphasis - all focused on offering engaging, enriching activities for young people aged 9-16 years.
Each offers an inclusive, safe, welcoming space for young people to socialise, build confidence, have fun and enjoy activities we offer, if they would like to do so. Our activities range from gardening to music, creative writing to art, and maths & engineering challenges; from cooking, theatre, writing novel and music, to participating in research.
There is always something to be involved with!
Birches
9-13 years
Monday 9.30am - 12.30pm
Birches provides a deeply nurturing, safe space for children to have fun in a safe, supportive environment, explore who they are in a group setting, and learn to identify and meet their own regulation needs.
Through a truly consent-based, project-focused curriculum, children explore literacy and numeracy, as well as become involved in our exciting collaborations with other arts, nature and music projects.
Currently full - please email us for waiting list details
Willows
12-16 years
Wednesdays 9.30am-12.30pm
Our Wednesday sessions are focused, as always, on building confidence and group cohesion, all built on an ethos of consent-based practice. We flex our Maths muscles with Ursula, our resident Nuclear Physicist, whether we have years of experience or are new to Maths.
After our break, we explore philosophy, religion and ethics through examining our world through Religious Studies. All of this is contained within a focus on relaxed, fun friendships, outdoor time, gardening and social time with friends.
Currently full - please email us for waiting list details
Oaks
12-16 years
Fridays 9.30am-12.30pm
Fridays are a lovely space; our collaborative projects happen here - in the last year, we have written songs about the Forest with international composers, written a novel with the South Bank Centre, worked with Turner Sims Theatre and designed and built an award-winning garden at the Gardener’s World Show 2024. We also explore Humanities on a Friday, examining the way humans have lived from every angle, since the dawn of time. We then have Music sessions, honing our creative skills together as a group and individually.
Currently full - please email us for waiting list details
What does consent-based practice mean?
Everything which runs at Broadleaf is entirely grounded on principles of consent; from the toddlers on a Friday morning through to our teens, every child has the genuine right to exercise choice, and is actively supported to do so by the adults present.
At times, some of our teens who choose to sit out of some activities or sessions, and that is absolutely fine! We just check in with them to ensure they are happy, and support them as they wish or need. We have ample spaces for people to relax if they don’t want to participate in a particular activity.
As people settle and relax into our welcoming community, friendships, confidence and a deep sense of trust and respect between peers and adults emerges. This experience has been transformative for many of our young people, and enriches the lives of all of us at Broadleaf.
Do you follow a strict timetable?
Over the years, we have developed a model at Broadleaf which includes the familiarity of a gentle and predictable rhythm, without strict structure or timings.
Our focus is very much on supporting co-operation and inclusion, whilst offering interesting and engaging projects for children to explore alongside us as adults. Above all else, we want the young people who come to us to enjoy their time with us and look forward to coming.
What happens at our Home Ed Community Hub sessions?
Each of our Home Ed Community Hub sessions runs to the same format, which helps children and young people feel settled in a predictable rhythm. We are not tied to rigid timings, so we can flow with the morning as it happens, following the energy of the group on each day.
Settling-in time
Circle
Activity One
Break/outdoor time
Activity Two
Tidying-up time
Closing Circle