The Learning Revolution Festival

This October the WEA ran over 50 events to celebrate the benefits of learning as part of the Learning Revolution Festival, named after the recent White Paper. The government’s Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) issued grants to the WEA and other organisations to stage activities and events to allow adults the chance to take part in new learning.

The festival gave way for many interactive sessions, where adults could engage in a variety of subjects at introductory level with the aim of encouraging adults to return or continue with education in the future in their area of interest. An additional aim, for the WEA and other participating organisations, was to promote better use of broadcasting and digital technology to support learners.

A sample of events held by the WEA as part of the Festival:

• Writing workshops and work entered into the BBC My Story competition.
• Healthy living advice; demonstration of healthy cookery & basic exercises.
• Session on overcoming stress & techniques for relaxing in the workplace.
• Yoga tasters for people with mobility difficulties.
• Shopping Centre Tasters showcasing courses available in the local area.
• Experimental Textiles Taster 
• Halloween Craft Day for adults with learning disabilities.
• Art Workshops for participants to put their work on museum exhibition.
• Researching your local woodland- Taster session to explore history of woodlands in Kent through a guided walk.