Students on WEA courses are all motivated by different things, whether it’s a first step to improving skills, personal development, gaining further education for employment, or simply a love of learning for an active mind.
What many of our learners and students have in common is stories of positive, sometimes life-changing, experiences of adult education. Here are just a few stories from WEA students. If you have a story to tell please let us know.
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Colin: mastering web development in Sunderland
Colin's previous experience of learning was intense and pressured, always working to meet deadlines he says. Since joining his WEA classes, he says he has felt "at ease", and describes the classes to be "totally different" and in an environment where he is able learn and progress at his own pace. The encouragement and support of his course tutors from a WEA web design course in Sunderland, helped Colin to gain confidence to create his own website. Read more about Colin.
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Janet: learning at the WEA's Omega Centre in Portsmouth
Rightly proud of her achievements, Janet has learnt to read and write at the age of 61. Janet’s memories of going to school in the 1950s were not happy ones, and she spent her early years going from school to school when her inability to learn at the same rate as her peers saw her tagged as 'slow'. Today, Janet's learning difficulties are properly recognised and help is available to her through the WEA and other adult education providers. Read more about Janet.
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Melrose: taking adult education and exercise out to Dudley locals
Melrose is a student and volunteer of the WEA Tandrusti project in Dudely, helping to improve the health and well-being of local people. As a volunteer, Melrose has been able to pursue her goals of improving her health and gaining further education. She regularly takes large groups for health walks around Dudley, and promotes the 'regular exercise' message within the community. Read more about Melrose.
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Patt: learning for personal and professional development in Exeter
After 16 years as a full time carer for her disabled daughter, Patt came to the WEA to prepare herself for a return to work. She has now been attending classes for seven years, gaining a wealth of positive experiences on the way - both in her career aspirations and her personal life. Her studies have included creative writing, philosophy and counselling. Read more about Patt.
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