Omega Centre

General information

Omega Centre is a partnership between the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and Portsmouth City Council.

The Omega Centre represents a fantastic opportunity for individuals, community groups, organisations and businesses in and around Portsmouth. Apart from an ever-expanding adult education programme, it offers a range of services from room hire, marketing and sponsorship opportunities, to partnership and project development.

Located in Somerstown, Omega Centre has been part of Portsmouth’s arts and education landscape for many years and has a reputation for involving local people of all ages and backgrounds. The WEA took over the management of the building in 2008 and undertook major refurbishment with support from the City Council. It is now regarded as one of Portsmouth’s foremost adult education centres, with a particular focus on Arts, media, IT and Skills for Life (literacy and numeracy).

The building’s redevelopment was largely possible thanks to the Jeffery-Machin Foundation (JMF). The JMF is the legacy of Canon Ivor Jeffery-Machin and his wife, Brenda. Canon Jeffery-Machin worked for the WEA as a part-time tutor from 1940 until 1984; both were great believers in the value of lifelong and community learning.