Our beginners’ course had an historically high attrition rate, which was seen as a missed opportunity at a time when membership was declining. We now take a broader view:
- The charitable purpose of the BBKA—and, by extension, its member associations—is to educate beekeepers and the public.
- Welcoming people to an introductory course fulfils an important part of that mission; even if they decide beekeeping is not for them, they go away better informed.
- Our approach is to create connection, confidence and a sense of belonging from the outset to reduce the attrition rate.
Membership and meetings
- The beginners’ course fee includes one year of County Membership, which can be upgraded when a participant acquires bees.
- New members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings immediately.
- A designated greeter welcomes them by name, offers refreshments at the start of the meeting and introduces them to other members.
- Café-style seating around tables makes conversation easier and creates a friendly atmosphere.
- The Chair, Secretary or meeting leader welcomes newcomers publicly at the start.
Help & Learn Teaching Apiary
- Established in 2024, the teaching apiary has around 20 colonies, a shed and former stables for storing equipment. This is where the beginners receive the practical part of the course.
- A small team of trainers, who have passed at least the Basic and Honey Bee Health Assessments, are supported by volunteers maintaining the field, buildings and spare equipment.
- Once the season begins, course participants are invited to join the weekly “help and learn” sessions which are open to all the members. There is often a jolly atmosphere which helps to increase their enjoyment and feeling of belonging.
- The beginners assist with maintenance, inspections and colony manipulations, gaining confidence around bees and equipment, and feeling they have a useful part to play from the start.
- Practical experience gives them a realistic insight into what’s involved in beekeeping, while new friendships strengthen their connection to the Club.
- A careful, nurturing approach to learning among a group of very mixed ability and a wide demographic is an essential part of the ethics of the system
Mentoring, belonging and communication
- Each new member is introduced to a mentor early, even before acquiring bees.
- Mentors invite newcomers to their own apiaries and encourage them to attend association meetings.
- We refer to the Association as “our Club” or “your Club”, using inclusive language to foster belonging.
- Carefully targeted and monitored WhatsApp groups support communication, integration and retention.
Outcomes
Only two cohorts have benefited from this approach, so longer-term impact data is not yet available.
However, of the 2024 intake, nine members have passed the Basic Assessment and three have successfully completed Modules 1 and 3.
Attendance at monthly meetings has increased from between ten and fifteen to regular attendances of thirty to forty.
Success breeds success; existing members who rarely or never attended meetings, now come along too.
Conclusion
By combining a warm welcome, personal support, good communications, and fostering a genuine sense of belonging, we try to give every beginner a positive introduction to beekeeping and to the Association.
Whether or not they eventually keep bees, they leave better informed; many also become confident, active members of the Club, boosting the membership and reducing the level of attrition.
After a promising start, analysis of data over a longer term will show whether the initial momentum has been maintained.
Alan Baxter
Education Officer
Fareham & District BKA
education@farehambka.co.uk
www.farehambka.co.uk
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