About Us

With origins as a completely voluntary organisation, set up in 1983, UKOWLA has in recent years enjoyed a significant period of grant support and funded projects. This required the contracting of a part time Director and administrator, together with a full time project worker on the DFID funded, Global Schools programme (GSP), to complete the work required, with the support of a board of voluntary Trustees.

With the end of GSP on March 31st 2012 and the demise of almost all funding opportunities, UKOWLA has, for two years (like all other charities), been implementing a plan to continue it’s work at the same level, but with reduced costs and dependency on paid staff.

From April 1st 2013, the organisation completes its transition to running on a completely voluntary basis whilst emphasising that it remains ‘business as usual’ with no paid staff whatsoever, taking us back to our origins.
We are grateful to the Trustees and staff of GLADE (Somerset Development Education Centre) who have provided our paid resources in a professional manner over recent years and to Lynn Cutler (Director) and Sandra Aldworth (Accountant) specifically, who have agreed to continue supporting elements of UKOWLA’s work on a voluntary basis.

For members, we would like to remind you that it remains very much ‘business as usual’ at UKOWLA, with the same Magazines, Newsletters, Workshops and conferences, together with continued access to the wide range of linking expertise.

Whilst contact details will remain the same (Tel: 01278 439 347 Address: UKOWLA, The GLADE Centre, Resources for Learning, Parkway, Bridgwater, Somerset. TA6 4RL) our telephone will not be manned at all times. We would therefore, ask members to make good use of the UKOWLA website www.ukowla.org.uk and communicate with us via email where possible on info@ukowla.org.uk, making it more efficient for us to log, handle and respond to your enquiries.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.
Kind regards,
Averil Newsam
Chair of Trustees

We believe that equitable linking between individuals, communities and countries can help to bring about a more just and sustainable world.

Mutual respect for cultural, social and religious diversity is a basic tenet of partnership and that true and lasting friendship is a pre-requisite for the promotion of understanding between people of widely differing cultures.

As a leading membership organisation for world-wide linking to reach out and influence all of those involved, to enhance the scope and performance of their links, thereby accelerating progress towards a more just, informed and tolerant society with greater social cohesion and mutual understanding, ultimately reducing tension and contributing to world peace. We aim to achieve this through the expertise and experience of our membership, excellence of our communications, advice, guidance and support.