In order to flourish in her social care career, Favour went in search of a WEA course that would help her to improve her English reading and writing skills. thewea.info/46yBjDt

Watch @simonparkinson.bsky.social give his final thoughts from Labour Party Conference @teamlabouruk.bsky.social #lab25

"We wholeheartedly welcome the Prime Minister’s remarks this afternoon calling out rising racism in the UK. And it’s exciting to see Further Education finally recognised as central to the UK’s economic growth and skills agenda." read more: bit.ly/4pPcYAQ #lab25

Today is International Podcast Day, a celebration of the power of podcasts! We've collated our top 10 educational podcasts for your aural pleasure: www.wea.org.uk/news-views/b... #podcast #InternationalPodcastDay

Day 2 of @uklabour.bsky.social Party Conference #lab25 We're at the Institute for Government fringe on devolution. In answer to WEA question, high street learning hubs could bring learning to where people are says EMCCA Deputy Mayor @nadinepeatfield.bsky.social

Some views on today's Labour Party Conference from our own Senior Public Policy Manager, Chris Butcher #lab25

Two of my favourite organisations. I'm not sure how my life would have gone if it hadn't been for the WEA back in the 80's.

Day 2 at @UKLabour Party Conference #Lab25

Every year on September 26th, Europe celebrates the European Day of Languages — a vibrant reminder of the continent’s rich tapestry of cultures, identities, and, most importantly, languages. Read more in our blog: www.wea.org.uk/news-views/b...

We welcome the announcement of the Government's 'Pride in Place' programme. Learn more: www.gov.uk/government/n...

Franciska was struggling with mental health issues and trying to juggle working supermarket hours with caring for her young daughter. Franciska enrolled on WEA teaching assistant and mental health awareness courses and now has turned her life around:: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YVI...

The WEA yesterday announced an exciting new partnership with Samosa Media , a BAME-led arts and education charity, to co-develop a series of innovative learning and community engagement initiatives focused on British Asian history and cultural heritage: www.wea.org.uk/news-views/n...

"It is extremely disappointing that the Education Committee's report on Further Education almost entirely overlooks adult learners... the Committee has neglected the opportunity to broaden its scope to say more about adult learning." read our response here: www.wea.org.uk/news-views/n...

Today is the autumn equinox: when the Earth's axis lies perpendicular to the Sun, making day and night nearly equal in length. In other words, autumn is officially here! Find a course this autumn on our website, including our new WEA Learn programme: www.wea.org.uk

Read our response to @patmcfaddenmp.bsky.social writing in @feweek.bsky.social about adult skills moving to DWP. The WEA welcomes a more integrated approach, but fear many adult learners will still lose out Full response and a link to the FE Week in our bio. bit.ly/4msr8F4

In 1903, Albert and Frances Mansbridge founded the WEA with a commitment to making education inclusive for all (an ethos we still follow today). Today, on her birthday 🎂, we take a look into the life of Frances Mansbridge. Read all about her here ➡️ thewea.info/francesmansb...

"No time to waste in rebuilding a culture of lifelong learning " Dr Jo Grady (General Secretary UCU) opens The Ruskin College Lifelong Learning conference 2025 chaired by Professor Graeme Atherton (WEA's Chris Butcher in attendance) @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social

In case you missed it: "Adult education... is rooted in local communities and designed to build trust, openness and purpose... they’re meeting people they might not otherwise cross paths with." feweek.co.uk/adult-learni...

Due to staff training, our phone lines are closed for the whole of today, Tuesday 16th September. Phone lines will reopen at 9am, Wednesday 17th September.

Today is #EndDigitalPoverty day. Did you know 1 in 7 adults in the UK live in digital poverty? Our friends at @age-uk.bsky.social have written this guest blog around empowering older people through digital inclusion. bit.ly/48bOACW

“Crafts are like medicine” and Gen Z is prescribing itself a healthy dose of learning for calm and connection. 47% of our learners feel more social connected and 75% say our courses improved their wellbeing. bit.ly/42syscz

The Government now has a perfect opportunity to reset its approach to lifelong learning following the weekend’s Ministerial reshuffle. @simonparkinson.bsky.social shares his thoughts. www.wea.org.uk/news-views/b...

The UK government will test its Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September at 3pm. Compatible phones and tablets will receive a loud siren-like alert and vibrate. No action is required. Need to opt your phone out of receiving this alert for any reason? Learn more here: www.gov.uk/alerts/optin...

Tomorrow MPs will debate a Bill which could have a huge impact on the future of lifelong learning and potentially save it from its currently diminished state. Learn more about the bill, and its potential impact, from @simonparkinson.bsky.social in our latest blog: www.wea.org.uk/news-views/b...

🎉 Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today! Did you know that not everyone celebrating will be a school leaver? Congratulations to adult learners everywhere receiving their GCSE or equivalent results today. It's never too late to learn.

"Adult education... is rooted in local communities. The small, group-based learning that takes place through adult learning provider the WEA helps to foster belonging." feweek.co.uk/adult-learni... @feweek.bsky.social @hopenothate.org.uk

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with NHS Talking Therapies, a service that provides free and confidential mental health support to help individuals to overcome barriers and successfully transition into employment. #WEA #talkingtherapies #partnership

Are you interested in sharing your WEA story with others? If so, we have the volunteering role for you. Done entirely via Zoom, our guest speaker roles will be pivotal for inspiring new learners. ➡️ Interested in the role or finding out more? Click here: thewea.info/speakervolun...

WEA CEO and General Secretary Simon Parkinson writes in FE Week highlighting that Government funding for adult education is essential for cutting NHS waiting lists. 👇 Read the full article here thewea.info/3JcluZF

A new report from the Communications & Digital Committee recognises the challenge of raising adult media literacy levels. Read our response to the report at wea.org.uk/news-views/n... and read the full report at publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...

📣 Calling all WEA learners 📣 We’re looking for learners like you to become Guest Speaker Volunteers; to share your WEA journey and help others see what’s possible. To find out more about our exciting new role and to chat to us more about it, please click here: thewea.info/speaker_volu...

Read our response to the British Future & Belong Network report, The State of Us, which includes evidence from the WEA to support the connection between adult learning and stronger communities bit.ly/3GPeCAD

WEA recently delivered learning to global retailer WHSmith to support employees to communicate to customers with hearing impairments in airport outlets. This is part of a wider partnership to support employees to develop personally and professionally. Read the full article here - bit.ly/4eRGtNl

Today is the first day of the Oasis reunion. Should you Enrol With It? Definitely. Will your learning go Supersonic? Maybe. Don't Look Back In Anger, Slide Away to our homepage today: www.wea.org.uk #oasis #oasis25

Thanks to @newstatesman.com for referencing @weaadulted.bsky.social We really do need to take adult learning to those communities that need it most rather than just what is easy policy wise. We need to protect lifelong learning not cut the funding by 6% www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/te...

Our Stained Glass Project won the @weaadulted.bsky.social Learner Group of the Year! It was an honour for Sharen Gilmour, Karen Smith, John Campbell and Sandra Burt, along with Stained Glass artists Keira McLean and Caireen Stuart of RDW Glass, to go to London to collect the Award... #stainedglass

⏰ Not long to go until our annual WEA conference✨ For those of you attending tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming you. If you aren't able to make it in person? You can still join us online, by following the link here: thewea.info/conferenceon...

Our new Impact report launches today. At the WEA, we bring learning to where it’s needed most, communities not served by traditional education, individuals furthest from opportunity, and adults seeking more than just a qualification. Learn more: www.wea.org.uk/about-us/our...

Today is the last chance to sign up to attend this year’s WEA Conference and awards 2025! Don't miss your chance - register here: thewea.info/_conference25

We're excited to be supporting @learnworkuk.bsku.social's new campaign to Get The Nation Learning 🙌

From supportive tutors and opportunities for socialising with fellow learners to confidence building... our learners describe some of the ways that our courses have helped them with their mental health. #mentalhealthawarenessweek

Proud to represent @weaadulted.bsky.social with Preeya Searle & our better halves. Honoured that Her Majesty Queen Camilla stopped to shake our hands and ask about our work. Her response when we said what we did “you are much needed” taking this as royal approval. Thanks @holexpolicy.bsky.social

UNISON has always been at the forefront of the campaign to support Lifelong Learning. Tomorrow afternoon, The Learning & Work Institute and the WEA will look at how UNISON can continue to support adult education. Join the free event tomorrow: thewea.info/4m90Ybr

Technical skills shortages and misaligned strategies... our General Secretary and Chief Executive @simonparkinson.bsky.social gives his thoughts on the government's latest immigration white paper: thewea.info/our_thoughts

"Research by the Learning and Work Institute into the decline of adult education should make all trade unionists stand up and take notice." Read @lgupbook.bsky.social's guest blog on why unions need to rejoin the fight for adult education: thewea.info/Unions_adulted

This is interesting and it does raise the question of why the Government would choose to cut 6% from the Dept for Education’s Adult Skills Fund. Here at @weaadulted.bsky.social we will keep fighting for this decision to be reversed and more investment put into this vital public service

Last week we were pleased to see MPs and Peers asking questions around the question of adult learning in the wake of the proposed 6% budget cuts to the sector. #ShivaniRajaMP's question asked about the steps being made to improve access to learning resources, lifelong learning opportunities... (1)

'Reducing funding for adult learners is “harming social outcomes, health and wellbeing, economic growth and individual opportunity”' The need for an increase, not decrease, in funding adult education is made startling clear by @learnworkuk.bsky.social report. Read @feweek.bsky.social article below👇

"From retraining after redundancy to accessing creative outlets that support wellbeing, adult education is a lifeline for millions." We could not agree more. The planned 6% budget cuts is a cut too far. Support us in protecting adulted by signing and sharing our petition: thewea.info/sixpercent

Creativity for Calm learners explored abstract paintings this afternoon. We played with ways to apply painting and ways to add texture. @weaadulted.bsky.social