Interview with Andrew Cole of the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Walthamstow branch
When did you start volunteering at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ?
I joined in 1999.
What is your background / story and how did you come to volunteer for the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ?
I worked as a health journalist until very recently. I’ve always had an interest in the local history of Waltham Forest and wanted to discover more about it. In 1999, I joined a course on industry in the Lea Valley being run by Jim Lewis (broadcaster, researcher, author) and haven’t looked back. I have attended nearly all of the evening classes run in Walthamstow since then!
What is your role within the Walthamstow branch, and what does this involve day to day?
I have a dual role where I am Class Secretary, and Chair of the branch.
The role of Class Secretary involves lots of administration and logistics related to organising and confirming new courses, liaising with tutors, registering learners and obtaining feedback, as well as sourcing venues for courses.
As Chair of the Branch, I am involved with the rest of the committee in making more strategic decisions, such as choosing the right courses and tutors, and planning marketing strategies for social media and communication to generate interest in the courses. We currently have eight people on the committee, and we meet bi-monthly.
The Walthamstow branch was officially set up in 2005. I became Class Secretary in around 2010, when Eric stopped attending evening classes and then Chair in 2012 when he sadly died.
What courses / activities are available at the Walthamstow branch?
We run two courses each year on the theatre and local history:
- Theatre (daytime course) – examining plays by a range of playwrights past and present.
- Local history (evening course) – focuses principally on local history but over the years we have on occasions branched out into archaeology, social anthropology and philosophy.
We also run social activities each summer; we ask the local members what they want to participate in, then organise events based on their interests. In the past, we’ve organised visits to Neasden Temple, Docklands, National Gallery, Walthamstow Wetlands and Highgate cemetery among many others. We try to keep the branch diverse and open to all.
What has been your experience of volunteering at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ so far?
It has been interesting taking part in most of the evening classes and being involved in the social activities. There is always a lot to learn on different topics. I developed an interest in the houses on my road and their surprising history – which I would not have done if I hadn’t been part of the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ. I also helped form the Wanstead Flats history working group, part of the Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society.
What are the benefits of volunteering at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ?
It’s great to be part of an organisation that’s socially aware and committed to supporting adult education, and truly believes that learning is for life!