Co-operative Conversations with Deb McCahon
August 2025
With 30 years' experience of enabling young people to make a difference in their communities, Debs McCahon is passionate about increasing and widening participation, and developing opportunities for a greater diversity of young people. In her role as Chief Executive at Woodcraft she was involved in supporting a young Board, fundraising, and developing opportunities for young people to benefit from Woodcraft Folk’s values-led education and to make the transition from participant to leader.
Previously, Debs has worked for The National Youth Agency, Youth Action Network and the Department for Education on youth engagement initiatives, such as Young Roots, REACH, PowerUP, Millennium Volunteers and the Make a Difference programme.
Debs contributed as guest editor to a 2025 special issue of the Journal of Co-operative Studies celebrating the centenary of Woodcraft Folk. In Autumn, she stepped down from the CEO role she has held since 2020.
Journal of Co-operative Studies, 58(1) - a special issue to celebrate the centenary of the Woodcraft Folk. Through its groups, outdoor activities, and camping, Woodcraft Folk has put co-operation into practice through the games that are played, the ways in which educational activities are organised, and the running of its camps. All of these themes are reflected in the articles in this special issue.
