WEA advocacy pack & resources

To help you talk about the WEA, we’ve put together an advocacy pack, which tells the story of the WEA.

This includes a slideshow with information on who we are, the work we do, and the impact it has on a local, regional and national level.

We've even included a script to help you in the notes section.

You can use this pack to talk to your friends and family, or when meeting with someone you think should know about the WEA - including local politicians.

Click here to find a template letter to help you write to your local MP.

WEA Advocacy pack

A PowerPoint presentation for promoting the WEA and its work

Download WEA Advocacy pack

Elevator pitches

When you are talking to a stranger (at a networking event, in a husting, or yes, in an elevator), and they ask, "What’s the WEA?” or “Why should I choose to learn with the WEA” or “Why fund learners to study with the WEA?” would you know what to say?

In situations like these, you need a short, snappy, easy-to-grasp explanation. The person you are speaking with might turn out to be a future learner, or be able to influence education funding policy or funding decisions, or know someone who is.

Here’s our suggestions, but don’t be frightened to share your own personal experience, if you think it would appeal to your audience. Importantly, it would be worth exploring their interests and motives before diving in – if you have time!

What is the WEA?: The WEA is a leading education charity.

We empower adults by bringing great teaching to local communities across England and Scotland.

Our mission is to bring adult education within reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice.

We do this by working closely with communities to understand and respond to their needs.

We specialise in providing supportive, inspiring learning opportunities, delivered by professional tutors who are experts in their field and who tailor their teaching to the needs of their learners.

Our learners love us because we kindle their passions, support their employability aspirations, and surround them with a network of friendly, like-minded learners.

We do this both face-to-face and online, so there is a learning solution for everyone.
Why should I choose to learn with the WEA? [For a learner looking to increase their employability skills]: Left school with few qualifications, or need to jump into a new job which requires different employability skills?

Then WEA is a great place to learn, with supportive tutors who really respond to your needs and help you along the way.

We always teach in small groups, with our tutors tailoring as they go, responding to the needs of our learners.

Our tutors encourage tutor-group discussions, developing their understanding, encouraging insight from different perspectives, and embedding learning in doing so.

This small group environment also nurtures friendships, useful networks and mutual support, be it for learning or for life.

Why not give it a try?
Why should I choose to learn with the WEA? [For a learner looking to develop their interests]: Finally found a way to carve out time to improve your knowledge, or develop a passion?

The WEA has a rich tapestry of arts, crafts and humanities courses and skilled, inspiring tutors to lead you on your learning journey.

We always teach in small groups, with our tutors tailoring as they go, responding to the needs of our learners.

Our tutors encourage tutor-group discussions, developing their understanding, encouraging insight from different perspectives, and embedding learning in doing so.

This small group environment also nurtures friendships, useful networks and mutual support, be it for learning or for life.

Why not give it a try?
Why fund learners to study with the WEA? [For people who need a rational answer]: Because we can evidence the impact our learning has.

With millions in long-term unemployment or working in the gig economy, the WEA has created courses to help those who need to develop literacy, numeracy, communication, and digital skills to stand a chance in a competitive employment market.

We also have a track record of working closely with communities and employers to provide learning targeted to meet local needs.

And we are great at reaching those who are harder to reach, for example in deprived communities or from diverse backgrounds.

We encourage and support community engagement and encourage active citizenship through our courses.

We also provide a lifeline to many, re-building their confidence, resilience and supporting our learners to manage stress and escape isolation.

Our learners simply visit the GP less, probably because they love the intellectual stimulation our course provide and benefit from the support provided by our tutor and our learning community.

I won’t start quantifying the difference we make in statistical terms. You can see that evidence in our Impact Report on our website.

But what really makes me proud is hearing their stories. There are a few in the report too.
Why fund learners to study with the WEA? [For people who work on emotions and anecdotes]: The best way is to tell you a little about our learners.

First, let me tell you about Kimberley.

Recently made redundant, Kimberley made the most of her time to re-train as a teaching assistant with the WEA. On landing her job Kimberley said,

“My course and the help my tutor, Paula, gave me was exactly what I needed to change my career. I am excited by what the future holds. This is truly the start of a new chapter.”

Another learner who impressed me was Parisa, an Iranian refugee in Glasgow who attended the WEA’s ‘Survival English’ courses.

I am going to share with you a few of her words. The standard of her English after such a short time reflects her hard work and the skills of her tutors.

“I arrived in Glasgow three years ago, with only a few words of English. I was worried about coming to Glasgow with my family, but now I have no regrets. I am very grateful to the WEA for giving me the opportunity to learn English and to meet more people.”

But as well as delivering key skills and community connections, WEA study also supports people to develop resilience, confidence and manage stress.

Let me tell you about Sarah.

Sarah has made incredible steps to put her life back on track whilst struggling with bipolar disorder and social anxiety. This is what she told us:

Two years ago, when she moved back up to Halifax from Brighton, the move really rocked her mental health. She needed something to focus on, to be positive about the future.

Sarah says the the WEA tutors were so welcoming and she started to find my confidence again. The change since getting involved with the WEA has been extraordinary.

At the start, she could not go to the classes alone. Now, she is doing some part-time work and thinking about volunteering too. It has all made such a difference in building her stability and resilience.

Public funding has made all these life-changing experiences happen. We would like to see even more, for the learners, their local communities, and the economy.