Margaret East, Chair of South Tyneside WEA branch. Picture courtesy of The Shields Gazette.
WEA volunteer Margaret East has been nominated for a Pride of South Tyneside award due to her good work as Chair of the South Tyneside WEA branch in the North East region.
Margaret, who used to be a social worker, was pointed in the direction of the WEA when she retired and wanted to find out about local adult education classes. Like many WEA volunteers Margaret started out as a student and was asked to take up a volunteer role within her local branch!
In an interview last week by her local paper Margaret said she was surprised to be nominated. She told the reporter that she is 'enjoying every minute' of her current course to research her family tree and praised her 'excellent tutor'.
Margaret was nominated by Joan Grant, fellow WEA student and member of South Tyneside branch.
Joan, who was also interviewed by the Sheilds Gazette said that WEA classes are: "Important and have a lot to offer, not only to learn a new subject or renew one, but keep minds and hands nimble."
“We might be getting old, but most of us do the school run and look after grandchildren. At these classes you meet like-minded people and learn."
She went on to urge locals to recognise Margaret's efforts towards supporting adult learning in the awards, which are to take place this Thursday (14 July) at South Tyneside Council.
You can read more about the local awards on the Sheilds Gazette website. We wish good luck to Margaret, Joan and the local branch at the awards ceremony. Find out more about WEA tutors and volunteers in 'Who we are'.