It began very organically. When we started home educating it was really hard to meet other families so I decided to start running an art and nature play activity fortnightly, with another parent, for other home educating families to attend. We hired a community hall to hold the activity and charged a small fee for people to attend to cover the costs of materials. After about 9 months of running this group, I realised it actually wasn't meeting my need to make connections for myself and my children. Because it was a paid activity, people would just rock up with their friends and then leave. I was busy running the activities and didn't get a chance to get to know anyone, nor did my children as different people came each session.
We then decided to invite some of the families who had attended regularly to form a co-op with us; a group where everyone offered their skills and contributed to the organising of activities. There was quite a big transition period. It took time for others to step up and take ownership of the group and for me to step back from organising everything. At that point we were still meeting fortnightly.
About a year and a half ago, one of the families who was attending the co-op, offered the use of the space we are currently using, which is located on their property. Some families were unsure about the move but others were very keen so we pushed on.
We now meet weekly at the space, which has really helped in creating firm friendships. The group is still very much evolving but having a permanent space has been a game changer for the kind of activities we can organise and the resources we now have available for the kids.
My top tip for starting any group is to find 1 or 2 other families that want the same thing and just make it happen. Turning up regularly, being reliable and putting in the work is 90% of making a successful group.
I would love to know how you began your creative community process! Thanks so much for your time!
Hi Frannie,
It began very organically. When we started home educating it was really hard to meet other families so I decided to start running an art and nature play activity fortnightly, with another parent, for other home educating families to attend. We hired a community hall to hold the activity and charged a small fee for people to attend to cover the costs of materials. After about 9 months of running this group, I realised it actually wasn't meeting my need to make connections for myself and my children. Because it was a paid activity, people would just rock up with their friends and then leave. I was busy running the activities and didn't get a chance to get to know anyone, nor did my children as different people came each session.
We then decided to invite some of the families who had attended regularly to form a co-op with us; a group where everyone offered their skills and contributed to the organising of activities. There was quite a big transition period. It took time for others to step up and take ownership of the group and for me to step back from organising everything. At that point we were still meeting fortnightly.
About a year and a half ago, one of the families who was attending the co-op, offered the use of the space we are currently using, which is located on their property. Some families were unsure about the move but others were very keen so we pushed on.
We now meet weekly at the space, which has really helped in creating firm friendships. The group is still very much evolving but having a permanent space has been a game changer for the kind of activities we can organise and the resources we now have available for the kids.
My top tip for starting any group is to find 1 or 2 other families that want the same thing and just make it happen. Turning up regularly, being reliable and putting in the work is 90% of making a successful group.