Bernard Godding - Biography
Bernard was born and brought up in Cheam, Surrey and became very active in the Scout Movement and developed a keen interest in wildlife studies.
He trained as a primary school teacher in Yorkshire specialising in environmental education. It was here that he met fellow student Naomi whom he later married.
During his time spent teaching in Leicestershire he developed an interest in teaching and learning using a wide range of resources to support different learners at various stages in their learning.
Bernard then moved into secondary and adult education that was linked to community development.
Whilst working he studied part-time with the Open University and obtained a degree in environment and education, especially language learning.
He moved to Norfolk to take up the post of Area Principle in Norwich, a post held for 19 years during which he played a leading role in regional developments and promoted third sector development in the county, including 7 years as Chair of Norfolk Voluntary Services (now Voluntary Norfolk) and a time on the Executive of the national agency NIACE where he co-founded the 'Special Needs Committee' based on his experience in Norwich.
In 1998 Bernard took over the running of the ECA - a national role at a time of great flux in the system. He has increased the stature of the body and has helped its focus on current issues.
Of his current work with the Association, Bernard says
"Addressing present challenges in the environment has brought me full circle. It was where I found my own strengths as a learner and where all our energies need to be focused.
Adult learning has a key role here; we can't fix all the problems overnight so we must start to engage with realistic solutions. The Every Action Counts project showed the way and we must build on that and broaden it out to engage more people across all communities to use their capacities and creativity for a sustainable future."