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: Mental Health Awareness week – Yoga to improve mental wellbeing

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, join our Yoga to Improve Mental Wellbeing course. This class focuses on yoga practices designed to enhance mental health and emotional balance. Through a blend of gentle postures, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques, you will learn methods to calm the mind and support mental clarity. Suitable for all levels, this course encourages you to listen to your body and adapt practices to meet your individual needs. Enjoy a supportive environment where you can develop effective strategies for improving your mental wellbeing and overall quality of life through yoga.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018236
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

SCC - Ways to Wellbeing

Welcome to the ‘Ways to Wellbeing’ course. On this course you will explore practical ways to enhance mental health through five key themes: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. You will engage in interactive sessions covering social connections, physical activities, mindfulness practices, learning new skills, and acts of kindness. Each session integrates discussions, exercises, and reflective activities to foster personal growth and wellbeing. By the end of the course, students will have gained strategies to improve their overall mental and emotional health, promoting a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle." This is free for anyone living in Southampton.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Thu 03/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00016939
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £130.20

Supporting Children & Teens with ADHD

Do you regularly interact with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, studying ADHD courses could help you greatly improve the support you offer them. This equality & diversity course is especially useful for parents and carers. You will understand the ADHD brain and the difficulties faced by children and teens with ADHD.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Emma Paramor
Course code:
Q00018975
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Budget Planning & Saving on Bills

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. You do not need advanced maths skills to take this course. It is appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Wed 18/06/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017826
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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

Supporting Children & Teens with ADHD

Do you regularly interact with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, studying ADHD courses could help you greatly improve the support you offer them. This equality & diversity course is especially useful for parents and carers. You will understand the ADHD brain and the difficulties faced by children and teens with ADHD.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018977
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Personal Development: Build your resilience

Feeling overwhelmed by life's constant challenges? This 7-week emotional resilience course equips you with powerful tools to navigate uncertainty and build inner strength. Explore how your thoughts, emotions, and experiences influence your mental wellbeing and overall resilience. Discover effective coping strategies to manage stress, stay positive, and communicate effectively in your social circles. By examining your life perspective and approach, you'll gain the confidence to recharge your batteries and cultivate a more positive outlook.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016764
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Personal Development: Gratitude journaling

This 7-week course is your gateway to a more fulfilling life! Discover the transformative power of gratitude journaling, a practice that combines mindfulness and writing to boost your wellbeing. Explore how expressing gratitude can shift your perspective and cultivate a more positive outlook. Learn practical journaling techniques to track your everyday blessings and witness the uplifting impact on your mood.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016769
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:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018157
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to support emotional resilience

Cultivate emotional resilience with our Meditation and Mindfulness for Emotional Resilience course. This class focuses on practices to manage emotions, build inner strength, and enhance emotional well-being. Through guided meditations and mindfulness techniques, you will learn to regulate emotions, cultivate compassion, and navigate life's challenges with greater ease. Suitable for all levels, this course empowers you to develop emotional resilience in a supportive learning environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018254
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £38.85

Fitness and Exercise: Seated Yoga

Did you know yoga can help you get stronger and more flexible, no matter your age or abilities? There are yoga courses for all levels and needs. Even if you can’t take part in a standing class, this beginner’s yoga course can help you gain mobility without taking a toll on your joints. Seated yoga is perfect for you if you’d have difficulty following a regular yoga lesson. Whether you have mobility issues or chronic fatigue, this yoga course can help you reduce stiffness in your joints and learn to relax. Enjoy the practice of yoga from a chair. This course is perfect for you if you want to do exercise appropriate for reduced mobility. The first thing you’ll learn is that yoga is about so much more than bending into complicated poses.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Gladys Court Bournemouth
70/72 Wellington Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8JG
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00016952
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80