Mary Ward Adult Education Center

Company Profile

The Mary Ward Settlement is a medium sized multi-service charity founded in 1895, focused on supporting the efforts and achievements of people in the communities it serves through adult education, access to welfare and social justice and community services.  Mary Ward’s work is focused on empowering people to enrich and transform their lives, in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.  Advancing equality and diversity remains at the heart of Mary Ward’s practice and policy and continues to reflect our founder’s concept of ‘equalisation’ and original vision for adult learning which remains to open up the pleasures and opportunities afforded by education to all.  Mary Ward works with Londoners to help create opportunities for them to reach their educational, social and economic potential, enabling them to learn not only practical skills but to feel part of a community. The Settlement has three core areas of work which are spread over 3 sites, Stratford, Southwark and Holborn. Mary Ward Adult Education We are passionate about the idea that we can keep on learning throughout our lives and specialise in courses for adults from 19 to 90. We have been doing this for over 100yrs and are one of London’s Specialist Institutes for Adult Learning.  Courses run in the daytime, evening or weekend, meaning learning can fit around our student’s lives. Mary Ward Legal Centre The Mary Ward Legal Centre provides free, independent advice to people who live and work in London to help them access their legal rights and entitlements. We provide specialist advice in housing, welfare benefits and debt. We also provide free legal advice as part of our pro bono clinic in the areas of: employment, housing, small claims, consumer, and family. Mary Ward @ Blackfriars Settlement Offers a wide range of services and activities, supporting people to achieve their goals and improve their well-being. We work with the local people in London’s SE1 borough of Southwark and the wider community to create opportunities to make life better and to build inclusive community. We make opportunities, recognise and celebrate different needs and build a sense of belonging to create a place of safety We’re a partnership of community members, volunteers and staff Our ethos The Mary Ward Settlement empowers and equips people to learn, enrich and transform their lives, to deal with obstacles to their hopes and aspirations, and to find support, common interests, inspiration, and friendship within the wider Mary Ward community. Working together with individuals, communities and partners to continuously improve wellbeing, our work is diverse, dynamic and culturally varied, and our atmosphere uniquely welcoming and inclusive. Our Values PEOPLE:  we ensure the needs of students and service users are at the heart of everything we do COMMUNITY:  we value and contribute positively to the communities we serve LEARNING:  we provide access to learning that enriches people’s lives, increases opportunities, and diminishes disadvantage. JUSTICE:  we are committed to social justice and provide access to secure legal rights RESPECT:  we value and support staff, teams and volunteers, and develop their talents EQUALITY:   we foster equality, seek to eliminate discrimination and improve inclusion INTEGRITY: we are honest, fair, accountable and financially responsible SUSTAINABILITY: we actively seek sustainable practices EXCELLENCE: we strive for excellence as individuals, teams and as an institution Our Strategic Aims Contributing to local and London economies We will contribute to social and economic prosperity by extending our work into new areas whilst supporting more vibrant, tolerant, safe and healthy communities where everyone has the opportunity to learn for learning, build skills and meet personal or professional goals. Enrich and strengthen the communities we serve We will strengthen local communities’ ability to access support, advice, learning and employment, reducing social isolation and improving life chances Provide flexible and outstanding, demand-led provision and services We will grow and maintain a diverse, agile and adaptable workforce delivering demand-led and co-created provision that can respond to the demands of its users, changing priorities and local needs. Be a visible and valued partner and place We will be a well known, trusted and respected partner, a ‘go to’ for input, development and advice across all of the sectors that our work encompasses. Ensure current and future stability We will ensure current and future organisational stability and sustainability through financial health, leadership, governance and a skilled work force.

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