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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Personal Development: How to communicate confidently

This unique 6-week course empowers you to build confidence in communication and technology. In weeks 1-3, you'll take the Communication Confidence Masterclass, where you'll learn powerful techniques to express yourself clearly, develop assertiveness, and navigate challenging conversations with ease. In Weeks 4-6, you'll become Tech Savvy for Life & Learning by mastering essential computer skills to boost your study abilities and employability. You'll learn to create an impressive CV, manage online calendars, and use online tools effectively, bridging the digital divide and gaining the confidence to thrive in today's tech-driven world.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016662
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Cooking Practical: Cooking for Pleasure

The purpose of the course is to promote your confidence and independence through cooking. The course is to teach that cooking can be fun and rewarding. The sessions will involve preparing and cooking various foods and dishes using a variety of techniques and methods. They will follow a range of recipes that use different methods to weigh and measure quantities using a combination of weighing scales, measuring spoons and measuring jugs. There will be an opportunity to try different ways to prepare and cook food such as, baking, boiling and grilling, together with using the hob, oven, grill, and a microwave.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Sacred Heart Church Hall
8 Townsend Road
Minehead
TA24 5RG
Tutor:
Rebecca Williams
Course code:
Q00017179
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £201.60

Personal Development: Mindfulness Intermediate

Deepen Your Mindfulness Practice: Intermediate Level Ready to take your mindfulness journey to the next level? This 6-week course builds upon your existing knowledge and techniques, empowering you to significantly reduce stress and enhance overall wellbeing. Explore powerful practices like mindful breathing, cultivating a mindful brain, and integrating mindfulness into daily activities. Discover how just a few minutes a day can transform your busy life, fostering inner calm and reducing stress levels.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
26 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016660
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £109.20

Personal Development: Everyday Life Skills - Practical Skills

This supportive course offers you the opportunity to explore adaptive and positive behaviour to help you deal more effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. The course will cover 3 main areas, including knowledge, attitude, and skills. It will enable you to consider ways to expand your confidence and personal development, including life skills to help promote mental well-being and competence when managing and coping with the realities of life. It will help you to identify available opportunities and prepare to face possible threats. The course will cover the context of health and social events, including coping without the use of unhealthy props; communicating with others in the public sphere; and how to promote healthy relationships.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Karen Johnson
Course code:
Q00017749
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Healthy Living: Simple Remedies to combat Stress and Anxiety

This course aims to provide participants with effective, practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. By applying hands-on techniques, participants will learn to identify their triggers and apply simple remedies to enhance their well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/03/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00020088
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Fitness and Exercise: Dance for wellbeing - a great way to start your day!

A fun and friendly dance workout to lift your spirits and set you up for the day.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 10:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Suzanne Swain
Course code:
Q00020154
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to support a positive mindset

Enhance your mindset with our Meditation and Mindfulness to Support a Positive Mindset course. This course focuses on practices that cultivate positivity, resilience, and inner peace. Through guided meditations and mindfulness techniques, you will learn to anchor yourself in the present moment, manage negative thoughts, and foster a more optimistic outlook on life. Suitable for all levels, this course encourages self-awareness and personal growth in a supportive environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018250
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Professional Development: Assertiveness and Imposter Syndrome

Do you sometimes feel frustrated that you are not communicating to others effectively and your views are not taken into account? Why is acting assertively so difficult, and what are the barriers for us? We will be looking at what we mean by assertive behaviour and how we can recognise and celebrate this. Investigating our own personal barriers to assertive behaviour will allow us to start to identify personal barriers, and considering ‘imposter syndrome’ allow us to start to counter any feelings of this type that we experience. How can we put our point of view making clear our own views while still respecting the views and needs of others. If you would like to find out more this course is for you.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 08/01/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00012171
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Personal Development: Understanding Common Mental Health Conditions

This 6-week course equips you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the world of mental health. You'll explore the mental health continuum, identify common conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, and OCD, and learn how to support yourself and others.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016664
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Personal Development: Intermediate "What Makes You You?"

This transformative 6-week course will help you understand yourself better and unlock your full potential. You'll explore self-esteem, learning how to boost your confidence and inner strength. By reflecting on your life experiences, you'll discover valuable lessons and growth opportunities to shape a brighter future. Additionally, you'll explore different personality traits to understand your strengths and weaknesses, embrace your individuality, and become more adaptable.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016665
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40