WEA in the news 📰 Read our learner's story in the Newcastle Chronicle thewea.info/4r4QIU7

We were recently featured in FE Week, you can read the full article via the link below

Last week was Get The Nation Learning Week. Read WEA CEO @simonparkinson.bsky.social blog reflecting on the week gone by: bit.ly/4nDfRCk #getthenationlearning

It’s Get the Nation Learning Week, and what does the nation care about more than tea? WEA Volunteer, Jim and Lifelong Learning Advocate, Alfie take a minute to swap secrets to brewing the perfect cuppa. #getthenationlearning www.youtube.com/shorts/ZiUHx...

In celebration of Get The Nation Learning Week, we’ve put together a blog about five famous lifelong learners whose passion for learning has inspired millions to continuously explore and seek new knowledge: bit.ly/4974xLt #GetTheNationLearning @learnworkuk.bsky.social

Broadcaster, Bard of Barnsley, and all-round word wizard Ian McMillan has penned a brand-new poem just for us. It’s a joyful ode to lifelong learning, created exclusively to celebrate Get the Nation Learning Week. What are you inspired to learn this week? #getthenationlearning

Get The Nation Learning Week is here, and WEA is proud to be an official supporter of this national celebration of adult education and lifelong learning. Our latest blog tells you all you need to know about this special week: bit.ly/4hujg4U#GetT...

Happy Halloween from everyone at the WEA! #halloween

From witches' fingers to decadent red velvet cupcakes, take a look at our frightfully good recipes that are sure to please all your fellow ghouls and goblins. #halloween

Don't forget to adjust your clocks! ⏰

Adult learning deserves better: a Pre-24 not Post-16 Education White Paper. In a 38,910 word document, adults are mentioned just 0.13%. Read WEA CEO @SimonParkinson6 full response here: bit.ly/4oBgdKV

This morning Mayor of the :East Midlands, Claire Ward, met with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners and staff at our newly launched Nottingham Community Learning Hub to see first-hand how accessible adult education builds stronger communities.

The WEA team are attending @conservatives.bsky.social Party Conference in Manchester, fighting the good fight for lifelong learning, check out our posts for updates through the day #CPC25

Learning to Thrive Ahead of #WorldMentalHeathDay on Friday we’re highlighting the role of lifelong learning in building confidence, reducing isolation and supporting mental wellbeing. Whether it’s a new skill, a new perspective or a new environment, learning helps us grow, inside and out.

This #WorldTeachersDay, we're celebrating our brilliant WEA tutors who teach online and in local venues across England and Scotland. 🎓Thank you! Hear from our learners about the difference it has made to their learning💚https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5miwxJFFPJc

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...