Mike Hemmings, Lecturer, University of Wales Trinity Saint David m.hemmings@tsd.ac.uk

1. The provision of lifelong learning to volunteers in turbulent and troubled times VALUE Conference, 8-9 June 2011,METU, Ankara, Turkey Mike Hemmings, Lecturer, University of Wales Trinity Saint David m.hemmings@tsd.ac.uk 01570 - 423758

2. The provision of lifelong learning to volunteers in Lampeter • Where is Wales? • Where is Lampeter? • Why Lampeter? • The Virtual University • For volunteers, voluntary organisation managers and all involved in the voluntary sector • Flexible • Cheap or free • No entry requirements • Accredited progression to BA honours and MA

3. UK policy on education and the voluntary sector to 2008 • ‘Education, education, education’ - Tony Blair • Investment, centralisation and regulation and a drift to the market • The rise in student numbers, the introduction of tuition fees and inadequate resources for Universities • The mainstreaming of the voluntary sector • Increased resources, political support and a growing role • ‘an important aspect of the ‘newness’ of labour was its empathy with the voluntary sector (Jeremy Kendall 2003 p. 56) • ‘a bigger role for the voluntary sector, in framing and delivering local services, is central to our vision’ (Tony Blair quoted in Kendall 2003 p. 66

4. The financial crisis of 2008 • A massive systemic crisis • ‘We have lived through an event most of us thought we would never see. Global Capitalism, on the precipice of collapse, has been rescued by the state. The Alternative was oblivion. The future is unclear’ (Mason 2009 p.vii). • The failure of neo-liberalism • Unorthodox economic responses • Continuing crises, as in Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain • UK budget deficit • Public sector cuts • Rising unemployment • Personal debt • The scissors effect – cuts to education and the voluntary sector at the same time as there is increasing demand for their services

5. The UK government from 2010 • The Conservative Liberal Democrat coalition government • Constitutional legitimacy? • The Big Society • State funding to the voluntary sector ‘crowds out’ private and voluntary action • Little evidence that limiting public funding or austerity stimulates and increases voluntary action

6. The challenges for the university sector in the UK • Public sector cuts • End of growth in funding of new student places, including to widening access and international students? • A market in education? The trebling of tuition fees and withdrawal of state funding to Universities • Student protests • Devolution and the Welsh Assembly government restructuring of Welsh Universities

7. Consequences for lifelong learning and the voluntary sector • Continuing need (and demand?) for accredited learning for volunteers and voluntary organisation managers • Lack of access to funding for volunteer and voluntary manager education • Reduced funding from the state for accredited learning? • Institutional restructuring forcing out small, specialist, difficult, demanding or risky subject areas?

8. Discussion • How widespread are the negative impacts of the financial crisis and political change in Europe to Universities, life-long learning and the voluntary sector? • Is the experience in Wales subsequent to the financial crisis common to educational institutions and the voluntary sector across Europe or is it exceptional? • Do the changes to distance learning courses, such as those offered in Lampeter, reduce opportunities for life-long learning for social groups most able to benefit as individuals and offer social and community benefits? • What are the wider social implications of the loss of the type of courses offered in Lampeter? • How important to individuals and communities across Europe are changes to accredited lifelong learning opportunities for those engaged in the voluntary sector? • What can be done to provide, protect and extend opportunities for life-long learning and the voluntary sector in the future?