About Volunteering

Our volunteers help organise and deliver the WEA courses in London delivered through our branches. Some are former WEA students; others have been active in education or voluntary organisations in other ways. We’re always looking for new volunteers to help develop our course provision and our branches across London.
 

Governance

Some volunteers get involved in organisational meetings at branch, Region or even National level. London Region has a Regional Committee, which is responsible for scrutiny and governance of the management of curriculum, assets and resources in London. Some of the Committee also sit on a Strategy and Scrutiny sub committee.

The Volunteers who currently hold offce on the Regional Committe are:

Martin Sundram Chair
Martin has spent the last decade and a half working in various roles in further and higher education and currently works for UCU, the lecturers' trade union.  Coming to the WEA was an extension of his passionate belief in the vital importance of adult and continuing education today.  Indeed, he is still a student himself, now working towards an MA in History, having originally studied Fine Art and a hodge-podge of subjects in between over the years.  A relative newcomer to WEA, he has been awed by the commitment, enthusiasm and expertise of his fellow volunteers, as well as all the staff and students he has met.

Moira Eagle Vice Chair
Moira is cagey about how long she has been involved in the WEA -  "Just say a long time". As well as being the former London Region Chair, she is the Chair of Mill Hill and Edgware branch. A teacher, she started WEA classes when off work with young children. She became active as a volunteer when she was asked to run a creche because she had a three year old. As a WEA learner, she has enjoyed Literature, Drama and Music courses. What she likes most about the WEA is "the opportunity to discuss texts with intelligent people".

Eileen Ramberan Vice Chair
Eileen has been involved with the WEA for 25 years. For 11 or 12 of those ("I lose track of the years") she has been Branch Secretary for Bexley. Her story as a WEA volunteer is a typical one: she started attending classes, then became a class secretary, then joined her local branch committee. Professionally, she worked in local government in a range of areas, including child protection and event management, the latter giving her the ability to cast an experienced eye over any London Region events we hold!

Treasurer (currently vacant)

David Freeman Association Committee Member elected by London Region
David was formerly on the WEA NEC (National Executive Council) since 2003.Now since incorporation the NEC has been replaced by the Association Committee. The group that overseas WEA nationally.  He has been a Transport Salaried Staffs Association delegate for the last five years. He retired in December 2003 after over 41 years working for London Transport / London buses, latterly on specifying and funding bus stations. Apart from day schools, his experience as a WEA learner was on a ten day Health and Safety course some years ago.

Courses

 As a volunteer, you may get involved in a range of activities connected to our courses:

• working with a small group of people to find out what courses students would like locally

• arranging the venue for the course, or finding a tutor through the Regional tutor panel

• taking responsibility for local publicity or enrolling students

• keeping records or managing course fees

• planning and managing events to supplement the courses, such as visits to museums or historic sites. 

We try to encourage people to do small jobs as well as large ones, as the amount of time people can commit themselves is usually limited. Whatever the time or skills you feel you can contribute, we'll find you a role. All the work of volunteers is supported by our paid organisers. 

Becoming a Volunteer in London

If you’d like to become a volunteer, find out more by talking to members at your local branch or by contacting us at the Office.

On this site, you’ll find a map showing details of existing branches in London. If there is no Branch close to you, we’ll help you set one up.

The WEA is a membership organisation; to become a WEA member, simply fill in a form when you enrol on one of our courses, or request a form from the Regional Office.

Contact us by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or use the details on the contacts page