Registered Charity No. 1044936
What is the University of Withywood?
We are not a conventional university, nor an alternative one. Our activities strive to provide you with all the fun elements of learning and dispense with all the disagreeable ones.
Enhancing the quality of life for local people
in every possible way
Three times a year we publish our programme which is circulated to about 150 regular 'students' and advertised in public libraries and the local press:
All we ask in return is for a small donation (recommended £1 per session: £2 for languages: free for the unwaged). Your donation contributes to the Sponsorship Fund
The programme includes talks by visiting speakers, discussion groups, slide
shows, quizzes, excursions, visits and walks, as well as drama, music and
language skills. We operate from three or four houses, ‘students’ often hosting
events in their homes.
The keynotes are fun and informal. All events are socially orientated, but contain an academic content intended to stimulate discussion, followed by social interaction, usually round an open fire often fuelled and tended by the ‘students’ themselves.
Five times a year we organise a shuttle service to a cottage in the Snowdonia National Park for a week’s communal activities in a cultural and geographical environment, far removed from suburban life and values. For those trapped by low income, financial assistance for travel is provided by a government initiated programme for regeneration.
Sales, fun days, exhibitions, spontaneous cabaret sessions and award ceremonies are regular events in which tea, Schloer and currant loaf are time-honoured refreshments.
Sponsoring the education of young people
in the developing world
A very serious aspect of the University of Withywood’s work is to raise money to sponsor the education of young people in the developing world.
Currently the money that is donated by you is being used to provide education and facilities in India, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria and Uganda. To find out more about these very valuable projects please click here.
