Helping the most vulnerable

At the WEA we have a special mission to help those who need it most in the country.

We work closely with voluntary and community organisations that help refugees to give people the best start in this country.

We offer free courses for refugees and displaced people, both online and in the classroom.   

From offering ESOL courses for refugees to family learning that improves well-being. Talk to us about what classes we can offer to meet the needs of the people you are supporting.    

Our adult education classes can help improve mental health, build a new life in the UK and improve English skills.

We offer courses to help people develop the language skills and qualifications to work in the UK.

If you wish to discuss your needs further, complete the webform below and one of our partnerships team will be back in touch.

As do illnesses, loneliness and the gradual fraying of communities. We believe that adult education forms part of the cure. We work with such conviction because each day we hear how important our courses are from our learners. Their stories are inspiring: you can read them here. 

But sometimes individual learner stories are not enough. 

The priorities of our funders are changing. The UK Government is committed to lifelong learning and investing in education, but its focus is significantly on higher-level skills for jobs, or future generations.

We also know we need to seek and secure funding for the important courses we deliver that fall outside those priorities.  

The critical role of more basic skills training, or the role other subjects play in building confidence, supporting mental health and enticing adults back into education, is not well understood. 

In our Impact report we share with you: 

• Why we do what we do 

• How we do it

• Demonstrate the impact we have 

We invite you to meet our learners and their employers to understand the ripple effect that WEA learning has on them, their work and their communities where they live. 

It’s the small class, highly tailored way we teach that makes the difference. It equips them for life and work. And, it connects them with their communities, so everyone benefits. 

See the difference for yourself

Browse and book a course and see first-hand the impact that learning with us has on your personal life and the ripple effect it has on the community around you.

Join us in our ambition to make this life-changing learning available to those that need it

We are committed to removing any barriers, so that individuals can improve their own life chances and have a positive impact on their communities and society as a whole.  

We engage with those who make education policy and funding decisions across England and Scotland, so they understand the importance of education to our learners – be that getting into work, progressing into good work, or keeping their minds active and their connection with their communities live. 

If you want to help, read our manifesto, and engage with those who make, or can influence, education policy and funding decisions. Our Advocacy resources may be useful to you.