Running an after school club doesn’t require a big budget or fancy facilities. It just needs a clear purpose, a reliable space, and a group of kids who want to be there. Too many clubs fail because they start with grand ideas and no real plan. The ones that last? They begin small, listen to kids, and stay flexible. If you’re thinking about starting one, here’s how to do it right-without burning out.
Start with a simple idea
Don’t try to build the next robotics championship or Olympic training camp. Start with something simple that fills a gap. What do kids in your area actually want to do after school? Maybe they’re bored sitting at home. Maybe they need a safe place to hang out. Maybe they love drawing, playing chess, or just talking.In Edinburgh, I’ve seen clubs that work because they’re honest about their limits. One group meets in a community center basement and just plays board games every Tuesday. Another meets in a park to build stuff out of recycled materials. No fancy equipment. No strict rules. Just space and time.
Ask kids directly. Talk to teachers. Check with local youth workers. The best ideas come from listening, not guessing. If you’re not sure what to offer, start with a survey. Simple questions: "What do you wish you could do after school?" "What stops you from joining something?" You’ll get answers that surprise you.
Find the right space
You don’t need a big hall. Schools often have unused classrooms that sit empty after 3:30 p.m. Ask if you can use one. Most headteachers are happy to help if it keeps kids off the streets. Libraries, community centers, churches, and even local cafes sometimes let you use space for free if you’re running a nonprofit activity.Check the basics: Is there heating? Are there tables and chairs? Is there access to a bathroom? Can you lock the door? If you’re meeting outdoors, make sure it’s safe, visible, and allowed. In Scotland, weather matters. Have a backup plan for rainy days-maybe a nearby indoor spot you can borrow.
Don’t overcomplicate it. One club in Leith uses a donated van parked outside the school. Kids sit inside, play cards, read books, and talk. No rent. No permits. Just a space that works.
Keep it free and open
Money is the biggest reason clubs die. If you charge fees, you’ll lose the kids who need it most. Keep it free. Always.That doesn’t mean you can’t get help paying for supplies. Apply for small grants from local councils, charities like The Scottish Youth Parliament, or community funds. Many organizations give £200-£500 to support youth activities. You don’t need a fancy proposal-just explain who you’re helping and what you need it for.
Don’t rely on donations from parents. It creates pressure and exclusion. Instead, look for free resources: used books from libraries, old art supplies from schools, donated snacks from local bakeries. One club in Musselburgh gets free fruit every week from a nearby farm. They call it "Fruit Friday"-kids look forward to it.
Recruit the right adults
You don’t need certified teachers or coaches. You need reliable, caring adults who show up. One volunteer who comes every week matters more than five who disappear after two meetings.Start with people you know: a retired teacher, a parent who loves knitting, a university student studying psychology. Ask them to help once a week. Keep the commitment light. Two hours. One day. That’s enough to start.
Make sure everyone gets a basic DBS check if they’re working with kids regularly. It’s free in Scotland through Disclosure Scotland. Don’t skip it. It protects everyone.
Train your volunteers. Not with paperwork-just with a chat. What to do if a kid is upset? How to handle a disagreement? What’s the one rule you never break? Keep it simple: Be kind. Be present. Don’t force anything.
Let kids lead
The most successful clubs aren’t run by adults. They’re run by kids.At the start of each term, hold a meeting where kids pick the next activity. Let them vote. Let them suggest themes. Let them design the schedule. One club in Coatbridge lets kids choose the weekly theme: "Superhero Day," "Movie Night," "Cooking Chaos." The adults just make sure there’s enough pizza and markers.
When kids feel ownership, they show up. They bring friends. They take care of the space. They even help organize events. A 13-year-old in Dundee started a podcast for the club. Now it’s their main activity. No adult even knew how to use a microphone-until she taught them.
Build a routine, not a rigid program
Structure helps. But too much structure kills the fun. Start with a loose rhythm: 3:30-4:00-arrive, snack, chill. 4:00-5:00-activity. 5:00-5:15-clean up, share one thing you liked today. 5:15-go home.That’s it. No worksheets. No attendance sheets. No grading. No pressure. If kids want to draw instead of play football, let them. If they want to sit quietly and read, that’s fine too. The goal isn’t to fill time-it’s to give them a place where they belong.
Keep a whiteboard or poster where kids can write what they want to do next week. Change things up. Try something new every month. But don’t overdo it. Kids need consistency. They need to know what to expect.
Measure success the right way
Don’t track attendance numbers or test scores. Track smiles.Did a shy kid laugh for the first time? Did two kids who never talked become friends? Did a parent say, "My child actually wants to come home now?" That’s success.
Keep a quiet journal. Write down one thing each week that made you proud. Not because you need to report it to anyone-but because you’ll need to remember it when things get hard.
Clubs don’t fail because of lack of funding. They fail because the people running them feel alone. Keep a record of the small wins. You’ll need them.
Don’t try to do everything alone
You’re not a superhero. You don’t have to plan every game, buy every snack, fix every problem. Ask for help. Join a network.Scotland has local youth forums, community councils, and youth work networks. Find them. Go to one meeting. Ask what support is available. Someone has already done what you’re trying to do. They’ll tell you what worked and what didn’t.
Partner with other groups. A local art studio might donate supplies. A university might send students for a few hours. A food bank might provide snacks. You don’t have to do it all yourself.
And if you’re tired? Take a break. Let someone else lead for a week. It’s okay. The club will still be there when you come back.
It’s not about perfection
The best after school clubs aren’t the ones with the most funding or the fanciest posters. They’re the ones that keep going-even when things are messy, quiet, or unpredictable.One club in Glasgow started with three kids and a box of crayons. Now it has 40. Not because they had a brilliant plan. Because someone showed up every week, even when no one else did.
If you start small, stay steady, and listen to the kids-you’re already doing it right.