Courses to build life skills

Learn life skills with the largest charitable provider of adult education in England and Scotland. Adult learning isn’t like school. Everyone belongs at the WEA. You’ll get meaningful, and tailored support, so you can reach your full potential. Our classes are friendly and fun, designed for adults like you. We won’t talk down to you and you’ll learn skills that you’ll use in everyday life.

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What are life skills?

Simply put, they are skills that make everyday life easier. Life skills include cooking, budgeting, communicating with others, health, well-being and managing emotions. Sometimes this means learning new things, and sometimes it means building on things you already know.

Sometimes adulting can be hard. These courses can help make it feel just that bit easier, make you feel more independent and empower you to face the future ahead.

Small steps to larger goals

You don’t have to have big goals in mind. Just take small steps towards boosting your skills and improving your wellbeing. Whether it is learning to budget better or cook healthier food. Building your confidence or gaining independence. There is a course for you.

When you study with us, you will:

  • Build your confidence
  • Learn new life skills
  • Improve your everyday life and wellbeing

Take a look at our great range of courses and start making a positive change today.

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Fitness and Exercise: Afternoon Yoga for Everybody

The course is suitable for all ages and for those who have some previous knowledge of yoga practice. The practices will involve a wide range of techniques including posture, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation; study and reflection. Yoga is a traditional and contemporary class where each week there is a guided practice working on a variety of practices and techniques. These include posture, breathing and meditation practices. You will gain an understanding and insight into the subject area as well as leaning ways to improve your general, physical and mental health.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Arthur
Course code:
Q00012610
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens the bones making them fragile and more likely to break. The origin of the word is from the Greek language to mean 'porous bones'. Bones naturally have some empty space in them to allow them to bend and flex. Those with low bone density or osteoporosis have larger spaces and less bone mass - predisposing them to fractures and other bone injuries, especially in the hip, spinal vertebrae and some peripheral joints such as the wrists. Each week there is a simple, step by step guided practice to build bone strength, building and extending upon the previous week where we work on a variety of postures which are modified and adapted. These practices and techniques include slow, gentle, straightforward movements; breathing and relaxation techniques.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
9:15am - 10:00am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Arthur
Course code:
Q00012605
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.52

Multiply-Baking on a Budget

"Baking on a Budget" is an 11-hour course teaching basic baking skills while saving money. Learn how to bake, mix, flour, sugar, and butter. The course covers how to buy affordable ingredients, follow simple recipes, and store baked goods properly. You'll get hands-on practice, watch helpful videos, and join fun activities. The course also provides tips on fixing common baking problems and quizzes to test your knowledge. By the end, you'll know how to bake delicious treats without spending much money and understand basic baking vocabulary to confidently follow recipes.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
9:15am - 11:45am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00019280
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Practical cooking: Intermediate

The Cooking Practical: Intermediate LLDD course is tailored for learners with mild to moderate learning disabilities, focusing on refining basic cooking skills. Participants will improve techniques like chopping, baking, and meal preparation, while building confidence, kitchen safety, and independence. The course offers a supportive environment to develop essential culinary skills and creativity.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 10/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Robert Hall Memorial Baptist Church (Lei
147 Narborough Road
Leicester
LE3 0PD
Tutor:
Jamila Mohammed Khanbhai
Course code:
Q00020799
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £46.20

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Meditation and Mindfulness

Leading a busy life leaves little room for calm and relaxation. This can make it hard for us to wind down and enjoy the present. But finding these moments of calm is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. This meditation and mindfulness course is ideal if you want to learn to relax, be present, and alleviate stress in your life. Meditation courses teach us to recognise the importance of conscious thought in our everyday lives. Develop concentration strategies to help focus your mind. Understand the principles of mindfulness. Learn to block out intrusive thoughts and enjoy the present moment.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Cornforth Partnership (Ferryhill)
68-70 High Street
West Cornforth
Ferryhill
North East
DL17 9HS
Tutor:
Margaret Mordue
Course code:
Q00020025
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Fitness and Exercise: Intermediate Yoga

This course will build on the work we did last term working with yoga, breathing exercises, meditation and guided relaxation. The role of the breath will be key throughout. Each session will be adapted to the needs of the individual.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 10/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
West End Neighbourhood Centre (Leicester
Andrewes Street
Leicester
LE3 5PA
Tutor:
Nerissa Fields
Course code:
Q00020963
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Textiles and Fashion: From Patterns to Projects: Intermediate Sewing Skills

This course is designed for sewing enthusiasts who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Focusing on understanding patterns and creating polished, professional-quality projects, this course bridges the gap between beginner and advanced sewing.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 17/01/2025 -
Fri 18/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Ocean Road Community Association (South
Ocean Road
South Shields
NE33 2DW
Tutor:
Anila Maqbool
Course code:
Q00020804
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £325.60

Cooking Practical: Air Fryer Cooking

Unlock the full potential of your air fryer with our comprehensive 5-week course designed for beginners and those with some basic experience. Our Air Fryer Cooking course goes beyond simple recipes, teaching you to create delicious and nutritious meals with ease. Each weekly session will be packed with hands-on demonstrations, expert tips, and insights into the health benefits of using fresh ingredients and spices. You will gain a thorough understanding of air fryer functionalities and features. You will overcome common limitations and expand your air fryer cooking repertoire and develop confidence in creating nutritious meals that go beyond the basics.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 17/01/2025 -
Fri 07/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Nadia Belmajdoub
Course code:
Q00019133
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £52.50

Trade Union Education: Gaslighting – Intimate Relationships

Do you know what ‘gaslighting’ is? Most people have heard of the term, but many do not understand what it really means. This workshop will delve into the issue of gaslighting as a form of emotional abuse in the context of intimate relationships. We will explore what the word actually means (its use and misuse), how to recognise the signs, and what can be done about it. There will be an information sheet available to all attendees with details of where to get help.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/01/2025 -
Mon 20/01/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018672
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Beginners Lip Reading

Hearing impairments bring a variety of challenges, both to those who lose their hearing and their loved ones. Luckily, there are communication techniques you can learn to be able to maintain healthy interactions. Learn to communicate effectively despite hearing impairments with this beginners’ lip reading course. This course is appropriate for you if you have hearing impairments or if you’d like to communicate with a friend or family member with hearing loss. Lip reading for beginners gives you an introduction to some essential lip shapes. Explore deaf awareness issues to understand how hearing loss affects communication. Learn about speech patterns and cues to facilitate interactions.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/01/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
St Johns Church (Macclesfield)
Wilwick Lane
Macclesfield
SK11 8RS
Tutor:
Debra Blinston
Course code:
Q00020670
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20