Volunteer WEA Local Advisory Panel Volunteer - West of England

What will you be doing?

Your chance to shape adult education near you  Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to unlock the potential of local people and create opportunities for them?   By joining a WEA Local Advisory Panel (LAP), you could play a critical role in helping the largest adult education charity in the UK understand local need and do just that.   Many think technical skills and higher education are the solution to their community’s challenges. But approachable, friendly education in core employability and community engagement skills could just unlock the confidence, team-working, talent and interest of local adults and are just as important.   The WEA’s mission is to bring adult education in reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice.   Our WEA Local Advisory Panel (LAP) Lead Volunteers - 

Are elected from within their own Local Advisory Panel to oversee LAP meetings, in accordance with their Terms of Reference approved by the Board of Trustees, ensuring all LAP members participate effectively in WEA governance.  Lead their LAP in line with WEA values, working with regional and governance teams in line with WEA’s reporting cycle to agree LAP agenda content and productive LAP meetings, communicating milestones and keeping LAP governance plans on track. 

Each LAP takes collective responsibility for their actions in line with their latest Terms of Reference as approved by the Board of Trustees, WEA Regulations and Policies. LAP members play a vital role in our local governance to:  1. Build strong community links and networks within the region to promote the work and interests of WEA.  2. Evidence and act in line with WEA plans and policies on local views and issues, giving due regard to the views and needs of learners, Association Members, supporters, volunteers, funders, and other stakeholders.  3. Play an active role in helping WEA to shape and influence local and regional strategies which may impact upon WEA’s funding and/or service delivery.  4. Help facilitate the convening of an annual meeting of Association Members and stakeholders within the region, the purpose of which is to promote engagement with WEA activities within the region, and to advance WEA’s mission and values. 

What are we looking for?

What we are looking for:  

Passionate individuals: We seek individuals who are deeply passionate about the success of their local community or business and the importance of education to achieve this.  Diverse perspectives: We believe that the power of collective wisdom lies in embracing diversity. We welcome individuals from various industries, backgrounds, and cultures.  Expertise: We particularly value prior experience of WEA learning, but this is not essential. Experience in the following would be hugely valuable too: Work in the education, voluntary or public sector, business or commercial, fundraising or marketing, finance or law, HR or learning & development.  Collaborative Spirit: We are keen to recruit those able to work effectively within a team, listen actively, and constructively contribute to discussions.  Active advocacy: We are looking for people with an interest in forging meaningful and productive connections with community organisations, employers and local leaders to advance the WEA’s mission to bring education in reach. 

What difference will you make?

The WEA’s mission is to bring adult education in reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice.   We believe in creating opportunities. You could help us understand and respond to the areas of greatest need local to you.  What is in it for you?  

Influence and impact: Your ideas and recommendations will directly shape our strategies and initiatives and unlock the potential of local people, service-users, future and current employees. You can help us do our life-changing work even better!