This year marks our 10th Birthday, and whilst we might have less jelly & ice-cream these days, we are still full of excitement to be celebrating this special anniversary.

The Explore programme and our independent organisation, Joseph Cowen Lifelong Learning Centre, was established back in 2013 when the former NECLL at Sunderland University closed. The North East Centre for Lifelong Learning was originally conceived 4 years earlier by Dr Ian Ground as a forward-thinking concept of lifelong learning; 'accessible, democratic, participative, innovative and challenging.' But financial cuts took their toll and the programme was suspended.

Never ones to let a good idea go by the wayside, a group of learners and tutors, inspired and joined by Dr Ground, worked together to build a new institution - truly independent, volunteer run and member-led.

We are Explore.

This phoenix from the ashes (though sometimes feeling more 'fledgling in the flames' in those early days!) has developed and adapted, weathered global pandemics and relocations. We have lost beloved members and made fantastic new friends. Together we have learnt innumerable lessons along the way.

After 10 years we have proven ourselves as reliable, adaptable and valuable - we continuously welcome new joiners and many of our founding members are still with us too! Ian Ground still leads fascinating Philosophy sessions, alongside an incredible range of regular and visiting speakers. We are proud to still be learning for the love of learning and we are thankful to all those who have been a part of Explore.

Our first decade has been an incredible learning curve - exciting, entertaining, enlightening and enriching - but this is just the start of our next chapter as we look forward to the next ten years!

Long live life!

Long live learning!

Long live Explore!

 

You can find out more about our Programme, How to Join and Explore's History on our website or Contact Us for more details