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: International Women’s Day – Yoga for female pelvic health

Celebrate International Women’s Day by joining our special Yoga for Female Pelvic Health course. This class focuses on yoga practices that promote pelvic health, tailored specifically for women. Through a combination of gentle postures, breathing exercises, and guided relaxation, you will learn techniques to strengthen and support your pelvic floor muscles. This course is designed to enhance your overall well-being, helping to alleviate pelvic discomfort and improve stability. Open to all women, regardless of yoga experience, you will be encouraged to listen to your body and adapt movements to meet your individual needs in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 06/03/2025 -
Thu 06/03/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018233
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Personal Development: From ''Skint'' to Savvy: Improving Your Relationship with Money

Transform your financial habits with "From Skint to Savvy: Improving Your Relationship with Money." This course helps you understand money management basics, develop budgeting skills, and make smarter financial decisions. Effective budget planning can make you feel like you’ve had a pay rise. Organising your personal budget and understanding your outgoings is the first step towards healthy financial well-being. And the good news is - budgeting is a skill anyone can learn. This budgeting course is right for you if you want to improve your financial well-being. Whether you’re trying to cope with the cost of living crisis or just want to plan your finances better, this course can help you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 11/03/2025 -
Tue 06/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018121
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Personal Development: Healthy Family Food on a Budget

Cooking homemade food doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Learn how to feed the whole family with tasty and affordable meals in this cooking on a budget course. This is a cooking and personal finance course rolled into one. You’ll get practical budgeting tips you can apply in the kitchen. This course is ideal for you if you’d like to learn how to cook homemade meals on a reduced budget. Learn how to select nutritious ingredients to prepare wholesome meals without breaking the bank. Brainstorm recipe ideas with the class to make use of leftovers. Get tips on how to store food properly to avoid wastage. Learn how to save money when doing food shopping and other budgeting tips.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 13/03/2025 -
Thu 08/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018120
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Healthy Living: World Sleep Day- Meditation and Guided Yoga Nidra to encourage restful sleep

Celebrate World Sleep Day with our Meditation and Guided Yoga Nidra for Restful Sleep course. This session focuses on practices to improve sleep quality and promote deep relaxation. Through guided meditation and Yoga Nidra, you will learn techniques to unwind, calm the mind, and prepare for restful sleep. Suitable for all levels, this course supports your journey to better sleep and overall well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 13/03/2025 -
Thu 13/03/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018253
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Step into Care

Begin your journey into the care sector with our Step into Care course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality care to clients. Ideal for individuals considering a career in care or looking to enhance their caregiving skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 17/03/2025 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Location:
Charles Burrell Centre
Staniforth Road
Thetford
IP24 3EA
Course code:
Q00018950
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Personal development: Accessing services within the UK

This course is for those who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to access a variety of services within the UK. Ever wondered who,what and where you can get support from to complete forms such as housing applications, how to make a Universal Credit claimandmuch more. This course may lead to further training support to develop your English skills to build confidence and knowledge. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 21/03/2025 -
Fri 18/04/2025
Times:
11:45am - 1:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
New Hope Global (Birmingham)
Birchfield Library (2nd floor)
3 Trinity Road
Birmingham
B6 6AH
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015672
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Personal Development: Budgeting skills

Feeling overwhelmed by household finances? Tired of wondering where your money goes? This 4-week course will empower you to take control with basic budgeting skills. We'll unravel the mystery of household budgeting, making it manageable and clear. Explore smart supermarket schemes and discover if they truly benefit you or the stores.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016753
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Cooking Practical: Cooking for Summer

The purpose of this course is to promote your confidence and independence through cooking. This course is about learning what is meant by seasonal summer foods and dishes. The course will explore a range of savoury and sweet foods and dishes associated with the summer months. You will look at why these foods and dishes are seen as summer foods. For example, you will look at vegetables and fruit grown and harvested in the summer and why the fruit and vegetables work so well to be eaten at this time of year. There will be weekly opportunities to prepare summer dishes.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Sacred Heart Church Hall
8 Townsend Road
Minehead
TA24 5RG
Tutor:
Rebecca Williams
Course code:
Q00017180
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £218.40

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to improve mental focus and productivity

Enhance your focus and productivity with our Meditation and Mindfulness for Mental Focus course. This class focuses on techniques to sharpen concentration, enhance mental clarity, and boost productivity. Through guided meditations and mindfulness practices, you will learn to maintain focus, manage distractions, and optimize your cognitive performance. Suitable for all levels, this course empowers you to cultivate a more focused and efficient mindset.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018255
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

Fitness and Exercise: Seated Aerobics

Get Moving and Feel Empowered! It is said that sitting for long, uninterrupted periods of time may leave you more prone to cardiovascular problems. So come along to this Seated Aerobics course to get those limbs moving, and those hearts pumping! In this 6-week seated aerobics course, you'll experience the benefits of exercise in a comfortable and supportive environment. This low-impact, chair-based program is specifically designed for individuals who may have mobility limitations or prefer a seated workout. Our expert instructor will guide you through a series of exercises that will get your heart rate up, improve your flexibility, balance, and strength, all while seated in a chair.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Ralph Jessop Court
Wyvern Close,
Parkstone
Dorset
BH12 4HE
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00016949
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80