Welcome to Rotary in
Cumbria and Lancashire

The Rotary members of tomorrow

Rotakids Groups are often based in junior schools and are a great way for the youngsters to make friends, become involved in projects and fundraising in their local communities whilst learning about citizenship.  The different Rotakids groups decide upon their own activities, whilst having fun, and are supported by their teachers and a local Rotary club.  There are Rotakids groups in several areas of Cumbria & Lancashire.

The Rotakids document their meetings and activities in a scrap book.   When Ofsted have visited in the past they have been really impressed with the concept of Rotakids, the work they do and the positive impact on themselves and the community.   Mount Pleasant Rotakids .

Accrington Rotary mentor Rotakids from Mount Pleasant Primary School who have been running now for over 5 years and are made up of Year 5 and Year 6 students.  The Year 6 pupils take on the roles of President, Secretary, Treasurer and promoter. 

Image : Mount Pleasant Rotakids with backpacks for International Aid Trust

Each year the pupils choose several projects including a school project, usually a litter pick around the grounds and perimeter. They choose a community project, this year it is helping at the local Foodbank.  They also visit the local care home to play games and sing with the residents.  In addition they choose an international project supporting International Aid Trust projects packing shoeboxes or backpacks.  Click here for further details about their projects.

For each project the Rotakids undertake they are expected to present their plans to school (both pupils and parents) at an assembly which they create and deliver.   They also visit a meeting of Accrington Rotary to talk about their activities.

Valley Primary School in Whitehaven has a group and its members are supported by Whitehaven Castle Rotary Club.  One of their recent activities was planting crocuses in the school grounds with help from two pupils from every other year group, in support of End Polio Now.  Further information about the work of Rotary in helping to eradicate Polio from the world can be found here.  

Image : Rotakids from Valley Primary School planting crocuses

The Rotakids are organising a non- uniform day in March in aid of The Ivy Milton Cuddle Blanket Appeal.  Further activities include a supermarket bag packing session at Morrisons, and their final event of the year is organising a Summer Fair for an International Charity.

Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary Club support four Rotakids groups who are very much into partnership working.

In conjunction with Community Rail, St Andrew’s CE Primary Rotakids have been working on an artwork project along the Hyndburn Greenway from Oswaldtwistle to Accrington.  The artist Gosha was able to create some amazing artworks that are now on display on the Railway Station at Oswaldtwistle.  

Image : St Andrew's Primary School Rotakids dislaying the banners to other pupils

White Ash Special School Rotakids went Pumpkin picking at Thornton Hall Farm in October, and had a great day out.   

In conjunction with The River Ribble Trust, Rotary have been able to fund a Trout Tank each year that rotates around different schools and is currently with Hippings Methodist Primary School Rotakids.  

Finally their fourth Rotakids group at St Paul’s CE Primary School are also working in conjunction with Community Rail in April when Class 5 at St Pauls will be going to the archives at County Hall Preston, to be the first school to take part in a new initiative called ‘Steam to Green’ celebrating 200 years of passenger transport.

Further details about the many activities of the four Church & Oswaldtwistle Rotakids groups can be found here.

If there isn’t a group in your area why not ask your local Rotary Club to help you start one.

Darwen Rotary Club mentor six Rotakids Groups.  Their recent activities included collecting four full car loads of toys for the less fortunate children and refugee children of Darwen and surrounding area.  Read about more of their activities here as well as their fundraising activities.

Image : Avondale Rotakids with just some of the toys collected for the less fortunate children and refugee children of Darwen and surrounding area

In the Brampton area are five Rotakids Groups who raised over £1,250 during the Autumn 2024 school term.  The schools are Fir Ends Primary School, Irthington Village School, Rockcliffe CE Primary School, Warwick Bridge Primary School and Wreay C of E Primary School whose groups are mentored by members of Brampton & Longtown Rotary Club.  Click here for details about which charities they supported and how.

Further details about the various Rotakids Groups in Cumbria & Lancashire can be found on the relevant Club Website and Facebook pages. 

There are different avenues to joining Rotary.  You can join your local Rotary Club or join Rotary Direct where you do not belong to a local club.  Organisations are welcome to join as Corporate members.  Visit our What is Rotary?  page to find out more about we do.  Our Membership Services pages contain links to our local clubs and  information about Clubs, Direct and Corporate Membership.  You can contact us by using the forms at the bottom of the Membership pages or the Contact button at the top of this page.