VIA was created to make learning clearer, more accessible and more human. But it isn’t where we started. Our approach is shaped by decades of experience, listening and change, grounded in how people really learn.
VIA means 'by way of' or 'through' and that's exactly what it represents. Every learning journey happens VIA us and has been designed to guide, support and connect learners as they explore new ideas, build skills and move towards their goals, whatever stage of life they are at.
When the Women's Institute (WI) first started back in 1915, it wasn't just about jam-making and crafting (though that's a proud part of our story!). From the very beginning, education sat at the heart of the WI's mission, and over the past century the WI has quietly, and powerfully, transformed learning opportunities for women across the country.
Today, the WI continues its educational mission through the charity Denman College and VIA, with traditional skills and forward-thinking topics, helping individuals to build confidence, and grow as active citizens. But education at the WI isn't just about personal enrichment; its about understanding the issues that matter most to women and communities, and acting on them together. Through our democratic resolutions process and broad campaigning agenda, members identify and learn about important topis such as climate change, mental health, access to dental care, river pollution and much more. These campaigns spark learning, broaden awareness, shape public conversation, and inspire members to advocate for positive change at local and national levels.
In 1945, the commitment made by the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) to provide a future where education is easily accessible for every member and their community was formalised with the creation of Denman College.
Established as a dedicated centre for education, Denman provided a space where learning could flourish in a focused and supportive environment. While rooted in the WI, Denman’s doors were always open more widely and welcomed learners from different backgrounds, ages and stages of life who shared the same curiosity to learn.
The pandemic in 2020 brought forward a significant change for learning. With residential learning no longer possible, it became clear that new approaches were needed to ensure learning could continue. Moving education online was initially a practical response, Denman at Home was opened and quickly revealed wider possibilities.
Digital learning removed barriers linked to geography, time and confidence, allowing more people to engage with others, across the country and wider, in ways that suited their lives.
In early 2024, the WI Learning Hub was launched as a temporary platform. Its purpose was to test online learning, gather insight and better understand what learners wanted from a digital offer; the response was compelling. Engagement was high, participation grew rapidly, and feedback highlighted the value of flexible, accessible learning delivered in a supportive environment. Crucially, it showed that learning could reach far beyond traditional audiences, welcoming people regardless of gender, age, location or digital confidence.
This period of learning and reflection shaped the next phase of its learning journey; the Learning Hub had fulfilled its role as a testing ground, giving the insight and confidence required to invest in a more permanent, future-focused solution: VIA.
That solution became VIA, our new, permanent home for learning; built on the foundations of Denman’s legacy and shaped by extensive research, data and learner feedback.
Just like Denman College, VIA continues to be open to everyone. While WI members continue to access the majority of learning for free, VIA welcomes all learners, regardless of gender, age, background, location or experience with technology. It is designed to be inclusive by default, supporting different learning styles, confidence levels and life circumstances, providing an enjoyable learning experience for all.
