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About
the WEA
The Workers’
Educational Association (WEA) is the UK’s largest
voluntary provider of adult education. Ever since
it was founded in 1903, in order to support the
educational needs of working men and women, the
WEA has maintained its commitment to provide access
to education and learning for adults from all backgrounds,
and in particular those who have previously missed
out on education.
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Our
vision and values are described in the inset
box.
The WEA is one of the UK’s biggest charities,
and operates at local, regional and national
levels. Nine Regions in England, a Scottish
Association and over 650 local Branches make
up the WEA’s National Association.
Through these local and regional centres,
today’s WEA now runs over 10,000 courses each
year, providing learning for more than 110,000
adults of all ages and drawn from all walks
of life. Courses are created and delivered
in response to local need, often in partnership
with local community groups and organisations.
The WEA believes that education is lifelong
and should continue beyond school, college
and university in order to help people develop
their potential in a democratic society.
There is a proud tradition of voluntary and
democratic practice within the Association,
which is, at heart, controlled by its members.
At Branch, Regional and National levels, voluntary
members are involved in the planning and provision
of courses, as well as the governance of the
Association itself.
The WEA is a national charity and is supported
by the Government through funding from the
Learning and Skills Council in England, and
in Scotland by the Scottish Executive and
Local Authorities.
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Vision
Our vision is to be the recognised voice
of adult learners, and the leading provider
of adult and community learning in the
UK by any standard. Mission
The WEA is a 21st Century, democratic,
voluntary adult education movement,
committed to widening participation
and to enabling people to realise
their full potential through learning.
Aims
To involve learners, volunteers, members
and other partners in:
>>Influencing and campaigning
on behalf of adult learners
>>Removing barriers to learning
Being responsive in the heart of communities
>>Making the most effective
use of all our resources
>>Promoting learning for life
>>Changing and enriching lives
through learning – at individual
and community levels
>>Promoting adult education
worldwide
Values
>>Creating equality and opportunity,
and challenging discrimination
>>Believing in people, communities
and their potential to change through
Education
>>Putting the learner at the
centre of everything we do
>>Challenging and questioning
ourselves
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We also raise funds nationally and regionally, from
a variety of other sources including the European
Union and the National Lottery.
About the Essex Federation
The WEA Essex Federation
is the county voluntary organisation which supports
and represents the interests of WEA branches and
students in Essex. It also plans and organises educational
events throughout the year, for WEA branch members
and the general public, such as One Day Schools
and a Week of Study (Summer School) in Colchester.
The Federation also produces its own news sheet,
EF News, twice yearly.
The Essex Federation Committee meets regularly to
discuss its programme of events, the provision of
financial and other support to branches, and Regional
and National issues. The Chair and several committee
members represent Essex on WEA Eastern Regional
committees.
The WEA Essex Federation Committee is always looking
for new members - people who value adult education
and would like to help the WEA to continue its work
in Essex.
If you would like to contribute comments or suggestions,
or even volunteer, please contact:
Ann O'Toole (Essex General Programme
Organiser) 01702 337308 annotoole@wea-essex.org.uk
or
Jane Dougan (Secretary, WEA Essex
Federation) 01245 476583 janedougan@wea-essex.org.uk
or
Ron Marks (Chairman, WEA Essex
Federation) 01376 561627 ronmarks@wea-essex.org.uk.
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