Wonda Collective: Learning and Fun for Children

Self-directed education

Consent based settings include the voices of all its members. All activities offered are optional, allowing children to chose what they want to give their time and energy to. The ground rules or agreements are co-created by all members of the community. We aim to create an environment that feels comfortable for anybody to want to make a change in it. Anyone can call a meeting, anyone can decide to change an agreement, and anyone can say "no". It is not always easy to have everybody's needs met all the time, but we do our best to discuss, include and understand the points of view and desires of all members.
We follow Roundspeak, a way of having meetings and making decisions as a group that holds a structure for all to be heard and for ideas to be discussed openly in a way that moves towards consensus.

Wonda is a setting that follows self-directed education principles. These are based on one's own inspiration, flow and autonomy. This allows individuals to step into the lead of their learning and, in doing that, the lead of their life journey.
As we are given support and space to follow our interest and curiosities, and we are allowed to be guided by our own nature, learning and growth take place in alignment with who we are now, and who we wan to become. At the core of Wonda is the trust in that process, and an understanding of the need for autonomy and expression of the Self, in whichever way it chooses.
At Wonda, we nurture a return to self—supporting children to stay rooted in their truth and grow from there. For those who’ve lost parts of themselves through school or unhealed experiences, Wonda offers a space to come back into themselves and slowly and gently, feel their flow and freedom again.
Trust, openness, honesty, discovery and presence are all values that helps us hold and build our community. Learn more on our values and vision page.

Consent based

Welcome to a day at wonda collective!
This is a consent based setting so all offered activities will be optional, children and young people are encouraged to contribute to plans and activities and make suggestions to what is wanted and brought into the space.

10.30 - Arrival and play
11 - Morning circle
11.30 - Offerings* / outing / free flow**
12.30 -Lunch
1/1.30 - Offerings/ free flow
2.15 - Tidy up
2.30- Closing circle/story/wind down
3pm- Pick up

*offerings include arts and craft activities, library visits, book club, role play and drama, gardening, fire circle, yoga, music and jamming, football and more.

**free flow is where the self directed process comes to life, individuals can choose to attend one of the offerings or hang out with their friends, swing on the swing, walk around the garden, have a snack, play another game, read, whatever they feel to do in a safe way may follow their flow. We encourage young people to be free to flow as they please so long as their flow is not causing harm on any other person or the environment. There are multiple resources in the space to play with, create and a garden with play equipment, so there is plenty for children to get involved with if they wish to. In such environment individual and group interests can be respected, and this allows space for imagination, exploration and play.

a day at camp

Facilitators

This camp will be run by facilitators with plenty of experience in working with children and young people.

Ayesha is a wild at heart facilitator, she follows her own way in life and is also curious about the way of others. Being on a long self-directed journey herself she recognises the joy and faith it takes to follow one’s path and deep interests. Sometimes not knowing where it will all lead us, or how we can get to where we want to go. This is where her work lies in supporting and facilitating these journeys of learning and discovery. Creating an easy and open space for others to move at their own pace, create and express themselves.

Mar trained as a psychologist and has been back and forth Psychology and Education as paths for liberation and social transformation. Aware of the ways in which formal schooling can dull our minds and undermine our capacity for learning, she explores different approaches to reclaiming our agency and critically and collectively create our way to more powerful, peaceful communities. You can see her anytime drawing, singing, dancing or having passionate discussions about anything related to life, being alive and beyond.

Pilot project -
summer club 2025

This is a pilot project, we would love to set up a consistent self directed learning community that exists in Reading and serves the Reading community.

It would be great to have a space where children and young people up to the age of 18 can go to if they do not want to go to school and would prefer to follow their interests and flow in their own way. We support self direction, self trust, self refection and knowledge, democratic structures, sociocratic decision making, authenticity, openness and community building. please check out our vision and values for more information about what moves us, and why we want to exist.

Please, get in touch if you would like to support us in any way.
We need support from practical help to admin, and we welcome participation if your a facilitator, parent or young person and would like to get involved or volunteer.

Our Location

Located in a grassroot community urban garden, our holiday camp offers a nurturing environment for children to explore and learn.

Garden

Western Elms Ave, Reading RG30 1AS

Hours

10.30 AM - 3 PM