Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.  

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning. 

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Has misinformation and disinformation got worse in recent years or have we always needed to be critical about what we see and hear?
🧪 What more can we do as individuals to ensure that we understand the world as accurately and clearly as possible?
🧪 What is the role of the government or other leaders to ensure that we are protected from harmful content?
🧪 What can be done to better protect those who are most at risk from the consequences of misinformation, such as hate crime?

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.  

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning. 

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Do you think you have the right level of skills to manage everyday tasks? Are there areas of literacy, numeracy or digital skills where you think you could improve?
🧪 Do you feel that the UK could be more competitive if we improved our levels of essential skills overall?
🧪 Do you think that lack of everyday skills holds people back and contributes to inequality?
🧪 Do you think that it’s easy to catch up on everyday skills if you didn’t learn them at school?
🧪 Do you think that some everyday skills are easier to pick up than others? What do you feel most comfortable with – language, numbers or technology? And least? 

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.  

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning. 

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Have you learned a language while in another country? How did you find it?
🧪 What are the challenges of feeling connected to a community when you are new to it?
🧪 Is language teaching an important part of bringing communities together?
🧪 Apart from learning a language, what else might someone learn to be more connected to their local community?
🧪 Do you feel you know people from different cultures or backgrounds to your own? What has helped you make the connection? 

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.  

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning. 

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Where would/do you go to meet new people in your local area? Would an adult learning course be something you would consider?
🧪 Have you made a new friend through learning?
🧪 Why do you think more people are lonely or isolated? 
🧪 What would help make people more connected?
🧪 What would make it easier for you to take part in volunteering? What do you think most stops people even if they want to?
🧪 What would make people more likely to vote in elections? Do you think participation in elections would increase if there were more opportunities to learn about the issues? 

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.  

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning. 

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 How can lifelong learning best contribute to improving wellbeing? What sort of activities should be available?
🧪 In what ways has learning improved your own health and wellbeing?
🧪 What is holding back joint working between health and lifelong learning professionals? How can we build on the good practice that does exist?
🧪 Which organisations should play a bigger role in exploring the links between learning and health? 

We'll keep you up to date with the latest Lifelong Learning Labs news, blogs and opportunities to take part in our research and events.

If you've submitted evidence, thank you so much. We look forward to reading it in due course.

If you haven't submitted evidence yet, have more to say, or even just want to learn more about the Labs, click the button back to go back to the campaign page is below.

We’re designing the future of adult learning. We'll:

🧬 Investigate themes: We’ll explore six themes that link to lifelong learning, treating each as an experiment
🧪 Gather evidence: We’ll run expert roundtables to examine research, share insights, and give bold ideas
🔬 Listen to learners and the public: We’ll ask for real experiences and views, ensuring learner and community voices guide us (you can submit evidence here)
🧬 Challenge assumptions: We'll stress test our recommendations to ensure they hold up
🧪 Examine findings: By the end of 2026, we’ll bring together the evidence, insights, and public input into a set of conclusions
🔬 Publish a new blueprint for lifelong learning: An exciting vision and roadmap that government can’t ignore

If you’d like to be featured in a future Spotlight Q&A, please fill out this form. Once complete please send an image of yourself to [email protected] too! 

What's on the way in February, plus your January roundup.

Even though we only restarted sessions on 9th January, we managed to squeeze in five free member events in January! Did you join us for any? We’d love to hear what you thought. You can always share your feedback with us either in the Zoom Chat during the session or by email to [email protected].  

 

Wordsworth: There's A Lot More to This Poet Than a Bunch of Daffs 
Dr Mark Crees 
Thursday 5th February 2026, 5pm-6pm 
For the best part of a century, English teachers have forced thousands of pupils to learn Wordsworth's poem about daffodils. In this talk, Dr Mark Crees will encourage us to look beyond 'nature' and consider what else Wordsworth should be remembered for, and why he is still worth reading today. 
Book here  

Story Club Chat and Plan 
Date to be confirmed. 
In this session, we’ll talk about some of the story suggestions we’ve already received for March’s Story Club, focusing on the theme of Wellbeing. Members can also share their story suggestions in the chat. Depending on numbers and feedback, we may be able to move into break out rooms for small group discussion.  

A History of Yoga Poses 
Ione Harris 
Wednesday 18th February 2026, 5pm-6pm 
This talk was a special request from one of our members. We’re delighted that Ione Harris has agreed to deliver the talk for us along with a practical Chair Yoga session the following week.
Book here

Creativity for Wellbeing: Art with Nicky 
Nicky Tarleton-Weatherall 
Thursday 19th February 2026, 1:30-2:30pm 
Nicky's workshop on Doodle Art last October was very popular - she is joining us for another Creativity for Wellbeing session in February. No experience required, everyone is welcome. For the activity you will need: 

• A4 paper
• Small side plate to draw round that fits on A4 paper 
• Small circle -same size as a tin of beans 
• Pencil 
• Coloured pens /pencils 

Book here

Chair Yoga 
Ione Harris 
Wednesday 25th February 2026, 1:30-2:30pm 
Following on from Ione’s member lecture about yoga last week, why not come along to this practical session to try yoga from the comfort of a chair.  
Book here 
 

Suited and Booted : Lessons in Men’s Style from the Movies 
Christopher Budd 
Thursday 26th February 2026, 5pm-6pm 
The humble men’s suit might not receive as much attention as women's attire when it comes to costume design. Yet in the hands of skilled tailors and costumiers they can be just as iconic. Join Christopher Budd for a journey through the glory days of men’s tailoring in films from the 1940s to the 1970s. 
Book here 
 

What you might have missed in January:
 

Friday 9th January: Creativity for Wellbeing: Journaling for the New Year 
Our first member event of 2026 was one of our monthly Creativity for Wellbeing sessions. WEA tutor Nicky Torode led us through a guided journaling session. It was a lovely way to start the new year, with time for reflection as well as planning for the future. 
What our members said: 
‘I have kept a journal for many years. [Nicky’s] last talk helped me to change the way I journaled’ 
‘I am now back in love with journaling’ 
 

Thursday 15th January: Why Ukraine is not Russia 
On Thursday 15th January WEA tutor Marina Burrell joined us for a member lecture to debunk common propaganda myths. Combining personal knowledge and detailed historical context Marina delivered a fascinating talk. With such a broad and complex topic, this could easily have been a much longer session. We were lucky to have many thoughtful questions and some lively discussion in the chat. There may be further chances to learn about this subject through WEA Learn.  
What our members said:  
‘An excellent talk and nice to have a challenging subject.’ 
‘That was a really great overview of the evolution of Ukraine. Well done!’ 
 

Friday 23rd January: Robert Burns 
We invited WEA tutor Robert-Louis Abrahamson to deliver this topical talk for us just ahead of Burns Night, which this year fell on Sunday 25th January. Robert-Louis opened the session with a look at Burns' life to supply us with some context. He then performed and analysed a number of Burns’ poems, including To a Mouse, To a Louse and A Man’s a Man for a’ That.
What our members said: 
‘That was so enjoyable. A perfect teatime. Happy Burns Night’ 
‘Very interesting, thank you, good to hear Burns’ poems read aloud’

Tuesday 27th January – Story Club: Education 
On 27th January we ran our first ever members’ Story Club session. With a theme of Education, the evening started with WEA tutor Mark Crees reading us a Wordsworth poem. Mark posed a number of questions for us, before we moved into breakout rooms for small group discussion, with around 5-7 in each group. We’re very grateful to our wonderful volunteers for supporting this session. We couldn't have done it without them! 
What our members said: 
‘What a brave and successful experience that took us in 21st WEA tutorial groups virtually. Well done to everyone 👌thank you’ 
‘Such an empowering thing for the learner & reader. Thank you for this session I've loved it’ 
 

Thursday 29th January – Sleep and Wellbeing 
On Thursday 29th January, we were joined by WEA tutor Lisa Richards for a talk about sleep and wellbeing. Lisa shared interesting insights into the science behind sleep. We also left the session with many practical tips for getting a good night’s rest.  
What our members said: 
‘Fascinating, lots of info, will certainly try lots of your suggestions. Wish I’d known 15 years ago!! Many thanks’ 
‘Amazing talk Lisa, covered lots of ways to improve sleep. Thank you’

How to join our member events  

Sign up for a free place via Zoom and you’ll be sent an invitation with a joining link. You don’t need to install any software – you can join from your browser, but there is also the option to use the dedicated Zoom app if you prefer.   

Once you join, you can choose whether to have your camera on or off. All members are muted, but you can ask questions or make comments in the chat.  Join and leave any time during the session, so why not choose a topic that you like the sound of and drop in to see what you think.  

We know that the regular Thursday slot doesn’t suit everyone, so we are varying the times and days of the week from time to time. If you would like to send us feedback on the programme or the scheduling we’d love to hear from you – suggestions always welcome!  

We are also delighted to be setting up a new Story Club for our members. In the spirit of the Go All In campaign, our Story Club is accessible and inclusive. Rather than choosing one book per session, we set a theme and people can pick any story that fits the theme. You could listen to an audio book, read a poem or short story, watch a film (pop on the subtitles!) or choose a Quick Read.

We see every day the difference that it makes to people's lives to come back to learning as an adult. Literacy is a big part of that. Some may be learning English for the first time. Others might be enjoying tailored learning sessions. We see the value in all types of learning, and lobby for a properly funded lifelong learning programme for all.