Raffle and picnic open day
Join us to celebrate a Year of Waymakers:
Birthday Picnic, Raffle and Charity Fundraiser Open Day
One year ago, Waymakers was little more than an idea, a handful of conversations and a hope that we could create spaces where home-educated young people could learn, connect, explore their interests and shape their own paths.
Over the past year, that idea has become a growing community.
We've seen young people build friendships, pursue projects, develop confidence, try new things, support one another and contribute to the wider world around them. We've learned a huge amount during our pilot year and we're excited about what comes next.
To celebrate, we'd love interested families whether new to home education or experienced home educators, interested local people and organisations, to join us for our first birthday picnic, planned and hosted by the young people of Curiosity Hub.
More than a picnic
This term Curiosity Hub participants researched charities, discussed different causes and voted on where they wanted to direct their fundraising efforts.
The group chose to support two wonderful charities that two of our participants had personal connections to:
The Cambridge Acorn Project
Guide Dogs
The young people have been busy organising fundraising opportunities and working really hard to make this celebration a success. You can expect:
Refreshments
Fun fair style games
Examples of learning activities
Insights into what’s been going on across the organisation this year
There are opportunities to support the event through the purchase of picnic and raffle tickets and activity tokens, with all proceeds supporting the charities chosen by the group.
An amazing raffle thanks to our community
We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our facilitators, partners and supporters, who have donated a fantastic range of raffle prizes.
Prizes include:
A one-to-one pottery session with our Deep Dive facilitator Carly
A first aid kit donated by Deep Dive facilitator Anna
A voucher for a holiday club at our Deep Dive partner, Grafham Water
Three months free online learning access
Stuffed toys
Craft kits
Books
Every raffle ticket helps support the charities selected by the young people while giving you the chance to win some genuinely lovely prizes to use yourself or gift to someone who’d enjoy it.
Bring a blanket, bring a picnic
This is intended to be a relaxed community gathering.
Bring a blanket, bring some food and enjoy spending time with other home-educating families.
You're welcome to simply come along, chat and celebrate with us, or take part in some of the optional activities organised by the young people.
It's also a chance to see our space, meet members of the Waymakers community and find out more about everything we've been up to during our first year.
Can't attend? You can still support the fundraiser
If you'd like to support the young people's chosen charities but can't make it on the day, we'd still love you to be involved.
Simply book a ticket and let us know in the booking notes that you'd like your booking to be treated as a donation.
We'll enter you into the raffle free of charge and, if you're one of our lucky winners, we'll arrange delivery of your prize.
It's a simple way to support both the charities and the young people who have worked hard to organise this event.
Who?
Open to all home-educating families in and around Cambridge and interested local people and organisations.
Planned and hosted by participants from Curiosity Hub.
When and where?
11:00am–1:00pm
Tuesday 14 July 2026
Springstead Community Living Room
How to book
£2.50 per family picnic ticket
£1 per raffle ticket
£5 for tokens to spend on treats, crafts and activities on the day
Whether you've been part of Waymakers from the beginning or are simply curious to find out more, we'd love to celebrate with you.
Come and help us mark our first birthday, support two fantastic charities and celebrate what young people can achieve when they're trusted with real opportunities to make a difference. Even if you can’t attend also support from afar and still be entered from the raffle!
Book here.
