Youth 

From after school groups to weekend clubs, there are many ways for young people to get connected in the Township. 
 

1401 (Alfreton & Ripley) Squadron 

Main contact name: Flying Officer Dan Bramley 
 
Tel: 07988 759766 
 
Email: oc.1401@rafac.mod.gov.uk 
 
Meeting address: Outseats Drive, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7GF 
 
Day/time group meets: Tuesday and Thursday 6.45-9.15pm  
 
Cost to attend: £12.50 per month 
 
The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is a UK-wide youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force.  
 
It aims to provide young people aged 12 to 18 with opportunities to develop skills, confidence, and leadership through aviation-themed activities and structured training.  
 
RAFAC offers cadets experiences such as flying, gliding, fieldcraft, drill, adventure training, shooting, and participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.  
 
The organisation promotes discipline, citizenship, and teamwork, while giving an insight into RAF values and operations. 

1st Heage Scouts 

Main contact name: Sharon Coope 
 
Tel: 07539 831108 
 
Email: heagescoutgroupgsl@gmail.com 
 
Meeting address: Heage School, School Lane, Derbyshire, DE56 2AL 
 
Cost to attend: £32 per quarter 
 
A range of indoor and outdoor activities which work towards badges and personal development as well as camping and games. 
 
Beavers (6-8 yrs)- Monday's 6.30-8pm during term time 
Cubs (8-10.5 yrs)- Monday's 6.30-8pm during term time 
Scouts (10.5-14 yrs)- Thursday's 6.30-8pm during term time 

1st Ripley Scouts 

Main contact name: Michael Hawley 
 
Tel: 07879 641763 
 
 
Email:  
michael.hawley@ripleyandheanorscouts.org.uk 
 
Meeting address: 1st Ripley Scout Group HQ, Hill Street, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3LZ 
 
Cost to attend: £16 per month 
Scouting is a youth organisation that aims to develop skills and character, in young people through troop meetings, outdoor activities, and community service projects. 
 
Squirrels (4-6 yrs)- Tuesday during term time 
Beavers (6-8 yrs)- Monday's & Thursday's during term time 
Cubs (8-10.5 yrs)- Tuesday's during term time 
Scouts (10.5-14 yrs)- Wednesday's during term time 
Octavius Explorers (14-18 yrs)- Monday's during term time 

1st Heage Brownies 

Main contact name: Andrea Bennett 
 
Meeting address: Heage Methodist Church, 60 Parkside, Heage, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2AF 
 
Day/time group meets: Monday during term time 6-7.15pm 
Brownies is for girls aged 7-10.5 years. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

1st Ripley Guides 

Main contact name: Steph Seaton 
 
Email: 1stripleyguidesgroup@gmail.com 
 
Meeting address: Ripley HQ, Outram Street, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3LF 
 
Day/time group meets:  
 
Cost to attend: £4 per week 
Guides is for girls aged 10-14 years. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

1st Ripley Rainbows 

Main contact name: Cathie Lynam 
 
Meeting address: Ripley HQ, Outram Street, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3LF 
 
Day/time group meets: Tuesday during term time 
 
Cost to attend: £4 per week 
 
Rainbows is for girls aged 4-7 year old's. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

4th Ripley Rainbows 

Main contact name: Lisa Watson 
 
Email: lisamwatson1983@gmail.com 
 
Meeting address: Ripley HQ, Outram Street, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3LF 
 
Day/time group meets: Wednesday during term time 5.30-6.30pm 
 
Cost to attend: £4 per week 
Rainbows is for girls aged 4-7 year old's. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

4th Ripley Brownies 

Main contact name: Marie Richardson 
 
Meeting address: Ripley HQ, Outram Street, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3LF 
 
Day/time group meets: Thursday during term time 6-7.30pm 
 
Cost to attend: £4 per week 
 
Brownies is for girls aged 7-10.5 years. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

5th Ripley Brownies 

Main contact name: Lauren Egan 
 
Email: chickadee12@hotmail.co.uk 
 
Meeting address: Ripley HQ, Outram Street, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3LF 
 
Day/time group meets: Monday during term time 6.30-8pm 
 
Cost to attend: £4 per week 
 
Brownies is for girls aged 7-10.5 years. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

1st Waingroves Brownies 

Main contact name: Helen Palmer 
 
Email: 1stwaingrovesbrownies@gmail.com 
 
Meeting address: Waingroves Community Centre, 136 Church St, Waingroves, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 9TE 
 
Day/time group meets: Thursday during term time 
 
Cost to attend: £3.50 per week 
Brownies is for girls aged 7-10.5 years. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

1st Waingroves Guides 

Main contact name: Pippa Dilks 
 
Email: pippadilks@sky.com 
 
Meeting address: Waingroves Community Centre, 136 Church St, Waingroves, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 9TE 
 
Guides is for girls aged 10-14 years. We are members of Girlguiding and give girls a safe space to enjoy getting together and having adventures and fun. 

1st Waingroves Rangers 

Main contact name: Sarah Smith 
 
Email: waingrovesrangers@gmail.com 
 
Meeting address: Waingroves Community Centre, 136 Church St, Waingroves, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 9TE 
 
Rangers is for girls aged 14-18 years. Rangers is an open and relaxed space, where you can regularly meet up with good friends, go on trips at home and abroad, to help make a difference to the things you care about. It’s the freedom to be more independent, earn qualifications, badges, awards and to do what makes you happy. 

Blend Youth Project 

Main contact name: Emma Jarvis 
 
Tel: 01773 749975 
 
Email: emma@blendyouthproject.co.uk 
 
Meeting address: 38 Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3DJ (Monday, Tuesday & Friday) / Greenwich Community Sports Hub, Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3AY (Wednesday) 
 
Day/time group meets: Monday & Friday 3.30pm-5pm (Ripley Youth Hub) / Tuesday 5.30-7pm (Ripley Youth Hub) & Wednesday 5pm-7pm (Greenwich Community Sports Hub) 
 
Cost to attend: No cost to Ripley Township residents 
Sessions for young people aged 11 – 17 years. Blend Youth project represents the youth provision of the charity Valley CiDS. We provide a range of youth work activities, and support services for young people in their local communities, which are designed not only to create safe spaces for young people, but also provide valuable signposting and support. 

Derbyshire Army Cadet Force (Mercian Regiment) 

Meeting address: ACF Building, Ripley Academy, Wright Avenue, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3EY 
 
Day/time group meets: Thursday's 7-9pm 
Derbyshire Army Cadets offers adventure, skills and leadership opportunities to young people aged 12 – 18. With detachments across the county, cadets experience fieldcraft, first aid, shooting and navigation to name just a few activities – all while making friends and having fun. Our passionate team of adult volunteers, aged 18+, help guide and inspire cadets while gaining their own skills and qualifications. Whether you’re a young person looking for challenge and personal growth, or an adult wanting to give back, there’s a place for you in Derbyshire Army Cadets. 

The Old Farm Bus 

Main contact name: Mikey Markham 
 
Tel: 07975 994561 
 
Email: theoldfarmbus@gmail.com 
 
Meeting address: Old Farm, Warmwells Lane, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 
 
Cost to attend:  
Muck Out mornings- £5 per child / siblings half price / £1 per adult 
Youth sessions- no cost to Ripley Township residents 
The Old Farm bus is a community interest company that truly lives for spreading creativity and inspiration. We’ve turned our converted school buses into studios & event spaces for youth workshops, music & art, interesting community classes, and podcasts, all surrounded by the Old Cattery Farm in Derbyshire. 
 
We encourage passion & arts within the community particularly with youth in the area. 
 
0-5yrs: 
Every Friday & Sunday 10am-12pm- Muck Out Mornings 
 
Youth: 
Monday 5-7pm- Crafty Words/Creative Writing 
Tuesday 5-7pm- Safe Space/Multiple workshops skill share 
Thursday 5-7pm- Where Art Thou/Arts & Crafts 
Saturday 10.30am-12.30pm- Build-A-Band Music