The WEA and several partners in the Yorkshire & Humber Region co-operated in responding collectively to the Government’s consultation on ‘Informal Adult Learning – Shaping the Way Ahead’. An impressive list of organisations including large and small voluntary and community groups, Universities, trade unions, schools, Primary Care Trusts and others signed a joint response with 99 signatories. This was handed over to a Senior Policy Officer from the Department of Innovation, Universities & Skills in Sheffield on 6 June.

The WEA’s President, Colin Barnes from Scarborough, is photographed (left) handing over the document. A 90-minute meeting followed the submission, with learners from Northern College, Swarthmore Education Centre, the Academy for Community Leadership and the WEA talking compellingly about the difference that adult learning had made to their lives. Volunteers and staff from these organisations and representatives of Zest, a South Yorkshire based community group and the Regional Forum for voluntary and community organisations made up the group that met the Senior Policy Officer for a detailed debate about the consultation.

Some of the group who contributed to the response are also pictured.