Discovering Quakers - What We Do
Want to know more about the DQ team and our work? This introductory document explains how we help Local Meetings with our enquirers' service, our outreach activities, and how Quakers can support our work.
Is DQ supported by BYM?
Our initiative has been running since October 2022 when we received initial funding from the BYM Adventurous Outreach fund - a one-off fund of £80k helping innovative outreach approaches to get off the ground. Discovering Quakers was one of the initiatives funded. The intention of the fund was that initiatives would find other ways to become sustainable in the future. We received a follow-on grant in Oct 2023 from the fund, which ran out in July 2024. Since then we have been transitioning to being funded by donations from Quaker Meetings and individual Friends. BYM remains supportive of our work.
Is DQ a Quaker Recognised Body?
DQ became a Quaker Recognised Body in 2024.
Is DQ's enquirers' service free for Local Meetings?
Yes! For LMs who are able, we do invite you to consider supporting our work with a one-off or regular donation, which helps us carry out all the outreach activities that inspire enquirers to get curious about the Quaker Way.
How do I sign my Local Meeting up for this service?
To sign your Local Meeting up to this service, please visit this link.
How do I change our Local Meeting contact details?
Please make any changes by revisiting the sign up form.
What information does the enquirer already have when they get in touch?
Enquirers often have very little prior knowledge about Quakerism when they choose to get in touch. They’ll have seen a short ad listing some introductory facts about Quakers, and they may have read our digital Introductory Pack. They may also have looked at our social media pages or received some introductory emails from us explaining the basics, but it is best to assume they are not hugely familiar with the Quaker Way.
What should I say to a new enquirer?
We’ve written a template answer which you can copy and edit to provide details about your own Local Meeting. We recommend that you keep a copy to hand for any time an enquirer gets in touch.
Why haven't I heard back from my enquirer?
Please don’t be disheartened! Not all enquirers do follow up: Quaker Meetings aren’t going to be everybody’s cup of tea, even if it initially sounded appealing to them, or they may be saving their visit for a ‘rainy day’.
Something else you'd like to ask about this service?
We recommend coming along to our monthly Local Outreach Forum, which takes place every second Thursday of the month at 1pm on Zoom. Get in touch with info@discoveringquakers.org.uk for a Zoom link.
Do you have hardcopy outreach materials?
We have a printable version of our introductory pack for enquirers. We also published a new edition of Geoffrey Durham's Being a Quaker for a more in-depth introduction to the Quaker Way, copies can be purchased via the Quaker Bookshop.
Can you support us with coming up with content for social media?
You are welcome to share/repost our content from our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages.