By joining a WEA Local Advisory Panel, you could play a critical role in helping WEA understand local need and do just that.  

Many think technical skills and higher education are the solution to their community’s challenges. But approachable, friendly education in core employability and community engagement skills could just unlock the confidence, team-working, talent and interest of local adults and are just as important.   

We believe in creating opportunities. You could help us understand and respond to the areas of greatest need local to you. 

What we are looking for:  

• Passionate individuals: We seek individuals who are deeply passionate about the success of their local community or business and the importance of education to achieve this. 
• Diverse perspectives: We believe that the power of collective wisdom lies in embracing diversity. We welcome individuals from various industries, backgrounds, and cultures. 
• Expertise: We particularly value prior experience of WEA learning, but this is not essential. Experience in the following would be hugely valuable too: Work in the education, voluntary or public sector, business or commercial, fundraising or marketing, finance or law, HR or learning & development. 
• Collaborative Spirit: We are keen to recruit those able to work effectively within a team, listen actively, and constructively contribute to discussions. 
• Active advocacy: We are looking for people with an interest in forging meaningful and productive connections with community organisations, employers and local leaders to advance the WEA’s mission to bring education in reach. 

Full role details, a list of Local Advisory Panel locations and the expression of interest form can be seen here. 

If you would like to discuss this opportunity or receive any assistance with your application, please email [email protected]. 

WEA have launched an exciting range of free online courses designed just for people with caring responsibilities. From virtual visits to stately homes to online health and wellbeing courses, our courses give carers some must needed self-care time. Care 2 Publicity Volunteers will help us to spread the word about courses to caregivers and former caregivers in the area that they live. Volunteers who join this project will be contributing to WEA’s mission to bring adult education within reach to anyone who needs it.

You will support the promotion of WEA activities using a variety of methods to engage people, embed yourself in the local community, champion the WEA to support awareness of Care 2 courses and the charity as a whole. With a toolkit and support provided by WEA you will plan your promotion and publicity of Care 2 courses in your local area. Manage the role around your own schedule to link in with local carer groups, community leaders, local charities, GP surgeries and places of workshop.

For more information and to express your interest in this role please contact us using the form below.

Volunteering alongside the course tutor, learners and other volunteers, we would like you to help engage and encourage students in their studies. You will be based in the classroom either in person or online. If supporting students in live online courses, you will join the tutor and students on your home computer using the Zoom video-conference app.

We are currently looking for volunteers to support in the Doncaster area in-person.

And we are also looking for volunteers to support online ESOL classes.

Main volunteer tasks

1. Helping students understand, appreciate and enjoy the topic
2. Supporting and encouraging students in the classroom, either 1:1 or in a small group
3. Helping students to record their learning and develop their study skills
4. Assisting with the set-up and running of activities
5. Complying with the WEA volunteer code of conduct

If you would like to express an interest in either role please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Join us and be a part of transforming lives through adult education in Scotland!  

Are you passionate about adult education and eager to make a difference in Scotland? We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our Scotland Board Committee. As a Scotland Board Committee member, you will support the Board of Trustees in ensuring the sustainability and growth of WEA in Scotland. Your contributions will help maintain our educational provision in line with WEA’s values and principles, and you will play a key role in engaging with stakeholders and promoting adult education across Scotland. This is a rewarding opportunity for anyone aged 18 or over who meets WEA safer recruitment checks and has a strong commitment to our mission to bring learning opportunities within reach of everyone.  
 

WEA is seeking to appoint co-opted Board Committee members who have worked nationally in Scotland with recognised qualifications in Education / adult learning; with experience of legislative, social, health and/or education policy that may impact upon WEA delivery in Scotland.  

We offer: A comprehensive induction and training program. Supportive environment, especially for new committee members. The opportunity to use your skills and experience for a noble cause.  

Your impact: Influence adult education policies. Monitor and improve the quality of our educational offerings. Foster partnerships and build relationships with key stakeholders.  

Your commitment to our mission will help bring adult learning within reach. Together, we can create a community where continuous learning and development are a reality for all. 

Join the WEA Finance Board Committee: Bring Adult Learning, Within Reach. 

Are you passionate about adult education and community development? Do you believe in the power of learning to transform lives?  

As a member of the Finance Board Committee, you’ll play a pivotal role in guiding the WEA towards a sustainable future. You’ll ensure that our programmes remain true to our values and principles, and that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities. 

WEA is seeking to appoint co-opted Board Committee members who have worked nationally in England or Scotland with recognised qualifications in finance accountancy or audit; with experience of dealing with pensions or multiple funding /revenue streams.  

We offer: A comprehensive induction and training program. Supportive environment, especially for new committee members. The opportunity to use your skills and experience for a noble cause. 

Your impact: Influence adult education policies. Monitor and improve the quality of our educational offerings. Foster partnerships and build relationships with key stakeholders. 

Your commitment to our mission will help bring adult learning within reach. Together, we can create a community where continuous learning and development are a reality for all. 

Join the WEA Audit & Risk Committee! Shape the Future of Adult Education 

Are you passionate about adult education and eager to make a difference? The WEA is looking for dedicated individuals to join our Audit & Risk Committee. As a committee member, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring our financial integrity, governance, and risk management, supporting WEA’s mission to bring adult learning within reach. 

In this role, you'll be involved in key responsibilities such as reviewing and updating the corporate risk register and risk management policies, working with internal and external auditors to review financial controls and ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and overseeing the preparation of the Annual Report & Financial Statements to ensure accuracy and transparency. 

We are seeking individuals with a strong passion for WEA's mission and values, excellent judgment, and team-working skills. Experience in ESFA funding, education funding, and/or quality management is highly desirable. Additionally, a commitment to equality, inclusion, and diversity is essential. 

By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the governance and strategic direction of the UK’s leading adult education charity, receive comprehensive induction, training, and ongoing support, and participate in WEA’s vibrant community and events. The expected time commitment is approximately one day per month, with meetings held remotely. 

Interview with Andrew Cole of the WEA Walthamstow branch
 

When did you start volunteering at the WEA?
I joined in 1999.
 

What is your background / story and how did you come to volunteer for the WEA?
I worked as a health journalist until very recently. I’ve always had an interest in the local history of Waltham Forest and wanted to discover more about it. In 1999, I joined a course on industry in the Lea Valley being run by Jim Lewis (broadcaster, researcher, author) and haven’t looked back. I have attended nearly all of the evening classes run in Walthamstow since then!
 

What is your role within the Walthamstow branch, and what does this involve day to day?
I have a dual role where I am Class Secretary, and Chair of the branch.

The role of Class Secretary involves lots of administration and logistics related to organising and confirming new courses, liaising with tutors, registering learners and obtaining feedback, as well as sourcing venues for courses.

As Chair of the Branch, I am involved with the rest of the committee in making more strategic decisions, such as choosing the right courses and tutors, and planning marketing strategies for social media and communication to generate interest in the courses. We currently have eight people on the committee, and we meet bi-monthly.

The Walthamstow branch was officially set up in 2005. I became Class Secretary in around 2010, when Eric stopped attending evening classes and then Chair in 2012 when he sadly died.

What courses / activities are available at the Walthamstow branch?
We run two courses each year on the theatre and local history:

• Theatre (daytime course) – examining plays by a range of playwrights past and present.
• Local history (evening course) – focuses principally on local history but over the years we have on occasions branched out into archaeology, social anthropology and philosophy.

We also run social activities each summer; we ask the local members what they want to participate in, then organise events based on their interests. In the past, we’ve organised visits to Neasden Temple, Docklands, National Gallery, Walthamstow Wetlands and Highgate cemetery among many others. We try to keep the branch diverse and open to all.
 

What has been your experience of volunteering at the WEA so far?
It has been interesting taking part in most of the evening classes and being involved in the social activities. There is always a lot to learn on different topics. I developed an interest in the houses on my road and their surprising history – which I would not have done if I hadn’t been part of the WEA. I also helped form the Wanstead Flats history working group, part of the Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society.

What are the benefits of volunteering at the WEA?
It’s great to be part of an organisation that’s socially aware and committed to supporting adult education, and truly believes that learning is for life!

One young woman who so warms the hearts of so many in and around York is twenty-two-year-old Beth Cameron.

Last year, Beth began volunteering for the Families Get Active (FGA) project, which the WEA runs in conjunction with Sport England to help families find ways to get fitter.

Prior to this, Beth had a job in retail while doing graphic design at the University of York, having previously completed a level 3 digital marketing apprenticeship before going to university.

On the FGA project, she created graphics and posts for social media and other outlets and helped promote free workshops aimed at empowering people and increasing self-esteem. ‘Working with such an amazing team of people who are so passionate about helping others has been such a great opportunity,’ Beth said, ‘It has really boosted my confidence and developed my skills.’

WEA project lead Rebecca Rowan told us: ‘Last year this young lady started as a volunteer with us on FGA and through the project we have been able to provide her with many opportunities to showcase her skills and build her confidence. How she has developed over the last year has been phenomenal.’

Now Beth, who has been promoting her talents via @bethjcreate on Instagram, is ready to start a new role at Mind, the mental health charity, where she will be creating graphics and marketing material for the charity's team in York.

She told us: ‘A few years ago I wouldn't have had the confidence or skills to be able to do this, I thank the team on the Families Get Active project for not only being so welcoming and for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do, but also to develop. It has been so great to work on a project that's had such a positive impact on so many people's lives, and I'm going to carry this mind-set through the rest of my career.’

WEA is governed in accordance with the object and powers set out in its governing documents, the Articles of Association (last amended 8 December 2022) and Regulations (last amended July 2024).   

You can read the Articles of Association and Regulations here.

WEA is a charitable company limited by guarantee (number 2806910), incorporated on 5 April 1993 and registered as a charity in England and Wales (number 1112775) and Scotland (number 2806910). 

You can view our Certificate of incorporation, and our Certificate of registration as a charity.

WEA is a public benefit entity, the charitable object of which is to promote adult and general education for the benefit of the community regionally, nationally and internationally based on democratic principles in its organisation and practice, through the participation of its volunteers and members.

WEA’s Trustees confirm that they have due regard for Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and believe it to have been consistently applied, that the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, and the requirements related to annual reporting within the Protection & Social Investments (Charities) Bill 2016 have been fully met when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance relates. 

Trustees have adopted the Charity Governance Code for Larger Charities and aim to carry out their duties in accordance with its guidance and standards.

WEA maintains a Governance Code of Conduct which applies to every individual involved in any area of WEA governance.

WEA’s Board of Trustees aims to be fully transparent in its conduct, and to that end maintains the following policies:

• Board Succession Planning Policy
• Managing Conflicts of Interest Policy
• Gifts and Hospitality Policy

WEA is committed to openness and transparency across all aspects of its governance. The Board of Trustees approved that their Board meeting minutes should be published on the WEA website from September 2023. You can download our latest minutes below.

October 2023

December 2023

March 2024

Our courses can help build confidence and employability skills, provide basic English, maths and IT skills and support mental wellbeing.

We offer a number of free job seekers courses to help your clients build the core skills valued by all employers, including:

• confidence-building, personal & social skills for work and independence  
• health & safety awareness for work (fire safety, manual handling, first aid)  
• functional maths and English (up to equivalent of Grade 4/C GCSE)  
• ESOL (including for specific sectors e.g. health care)  
• essential digital skills and IT qualifications  

We offer online courses and in venue courses. Our courses are fully funded for people on Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, or on a low-wage.

You can find all of our skills courses here and our ESOL courses here.

We have qualifications, training courses and learning programmes that develop your client skills for specific sectors   

• SWAPs and work-integrated learning programmes with guaranteed interviews or placements  
• Health, social care & counselling qualifications  
• Schools, education and childcare qualifications  
• Community interpreting  
• Hospitality, retail and customer service 

Our courses also cover job search, CV writing and other skills needed to find work in those sectors. 

Get in touch via the form below to see how we can help you!

Our current courses are already designed to support your clients into employment.

However, we understand that sometimes as a work coach you will need something tailored to specific groups, job types or timescales.  

We're experts in providing specialised training for a wide range of groups including: 

• long-term unemployed 
• younger people (aged 19 and over) 
• recently redundant or unemployed 
• refugees 
• people over 50 
• people with LDD 

We can offer short duration and accelerated programmes to fit in with your ideal timeline. This includes full or part-time courses, either online or in person. 

If you can't see what you are looking for in our existing list of courses, please get in touch via the form below. Together, we can make a big difference.