In this episode we're visiting the former colliery village of Chopwell which has a long history built on industry, political engagement (it was once labelled "Little Moscow",) and cooperation. It's faced challenging times in the post-industri

Community Spaces 1: REfUSE Cafe - tackling food waste and promoting social inclusion

Sep 22nd, 2022 18m 15s

In a short series of podcasts, we're going to focus on several community spaces which represent venues or partners for our WEA activities. Since the WEA's inception in 1903, the organisation has worked within spaces of this type. And recently

Episode 10 - Ellen Wilkinson

Mar 22nd, 2022 27m 44s

As part of International Women’s Month, we look at the life of northern heroine Ellen Wilkinson with her biographer Dr Matt Perry. From her impoverished background in Manchester to her election as MP for Jarrow in 1935 and her role as Minister

9: The Work of Women's Health in South Tyneside

Dec 9th, 2021 27m 49s

In the latest episode of WE Are, we go out and about to meet with the volunteers and service users of Women's Health in South Tyneside (WHIST). They tell us what the centre means to them and how their work has been vital to helping women in Sou

8: The 'Pitman Painters' and the Importance of Art in Adult Education

Aug 3rd, 2021 26m 34s

The Pitman Painters (or the Ashington Group to give them their formal title) originated out of a WEA art class for a group of Ashington miners in the 1930's. Their paintings depicting life below and above ground in their pit community were cri

7: Interview with north east playwright Ed Waugh

Jun 14th, 2021 37m

North East playwright, the always witty and engaging Ed Waugh discusses the difficulty in getting regional voices represented on the stage; the importance of art in giving a voice to local stories and history; the importance of adult education

6: Interview with Nigel Todd

Mar 31st, 2021 15m 25s

Another chance to hear the interview from episode 1 with Nigel Todd, who sadly died last week. Nigel talks about the formation of the Green Branch and the climate emergency. Chair of Regional Committee, Keith Hodgson, provides a new introductio

5: Simon Parkinson Interview

Mar 24th, 2021 41m 55s

In episode 5 of WEAre, we speak to WEA CEO & General Secretary Simon Parkinson about his first year at the helm of the association, and the challenges both the WEA and adult education face in the future. Also our resident historian Rosie Serdi

4: Supporting Mental Health During the Covid Pandemic

Mar 9th, 2021 31m 26s

The second of our special mini- podcasts in which Sheila Parks, the tutor of our therapies and wellbeing based courses.In this episode Sheila talks about maintaining your own mental wellbeing during the Covid pandemic, and suggests some coping

3: Coping with Grief and Loss During the Covid Pandemic

Feb 17th, 2021 32m 12s

A special mini- podcast in which Sheila Parks, the tutor of our therapies and wellbeing based courses, gives advice on how to deal with grief and loss during Covid.Sheila discusses the phases of grief and provides some activities and coping m

WE Are - Episode 2

Jan 5th, 2021 44m 48s

WE Are the podcast of the Workers Education Association, North East Region.In episode 2 one of our volunteers Judith King explains how small changes to her everyday life have led her to be more sustainable in her approach to things. Our litera

WE ARE - An Educational and Social Movement

Oct 29th, 2020 53m 6s

In our inaugural episode we explore some of the different types of activity the Workers Educational Association are involved in in the north east of England. We speak to Kelly Ness, our tutor of the year, and some of her students who explain ho