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: 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

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: 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

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

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

Personal Development: Everyday life skills

Develop essential life skills with our Personal Development: Everyday Life Skills course. Learn practical skills for managing daily tasks, improving communication, and building self-confidence. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their independence and quality of life.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Guild House (Plymouth)
Guild House
156 Mannamead Road
Plymouth
PL3 5QL
Tutor:
Peter Childs
Course code:
Q00016151
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Healthy Living: Introduction to Holistic Therapies

This is a beginners course to learn some practical skills in hand and skin care, beauty techniques - basic make up application , providing a basic manicure or pedicure treatment, learn how to follow health and safety and working with others effectively in the beauty sector. The purpose of this course is to provide learners with a sound basic knowledge and understanding of the practical skills outlined & to enable them to Develop their skills through being introduced to the beauty Industry and learn about how you should present a professional image in the salon. It will provide learners with a foundation for further learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rachel Ward
Course code:
Q00014986
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £103.60

Personal Development: Food allergens

During this 8 week introduction to food allergens course, we will covering what a food allergy and a food intolerance is, what the difference is between a food allergy and a food intolerance and why it is important you know the difference, why these food allergies and intolerances are on the increase. We will also look at what the 14 recognised food allergies are and why there are only 14 at the present time. And finally, we will look at how the law is helping making the food industry more accountable to label and keep foods safe for all consumers.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 21/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016755
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60