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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This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Confidence to Learn

Confidence to Learn Are you currently studying? On this Confidence to Learn course, you will develop study skills that will help direct you to a more focused way of studying. If you have not studied for a long time, or worried about how to start an assignment, or manage your time, this is the course for you. You will have the opportunity to personalise your approach to study and learning. Over the course you will find out what works best for you. General study skills are not for a specific subject, they are skills that cover all subject areas. The study skills you will develop at this level will help as you go through each topic on the course. To develop your study skills, you will practise a variety of tasks such as time management, active listening skills, note taking and many more. This will help you become more confident in the way you study. Study skills are not just for this course, they can be used in a variety of ways, for example solving problems in everyday life and managing your time successfully and learning to remain focused on a task. This course will run alongside the main course you are studying and provide you with the tools to successfully complete your studies with confidence. The main topics that will be covered in this course will be: • Time management– create a study timetable to help manage your course material more effectively and how best to break up your study time. • Note Taking – learn proved methods of creating notes from your sessions that are clear and precise, which will help you remember and understand what is necessary for a better understanding of your course. • Mind Maps – show you how to create a visual map of ideas and put together the information learned on your course. • Teach others – you will get the opportunity to explain what you have learned to others and discover areas that need improving. • Goal setting – you will learn how to create your own study goals after each session to help you stay o

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 16/10/2024 -
Wed 26/02/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Daubeney Children's Centre/ Primary Scho
103 Daubeney Road
Hackney
London
E5 0EG
Tutor:
Allison McClean
Course code:
Q00017619
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Cooking Practical: SCC-Learning to Cook-Life Skills

Welcome to the Learning to Cook Life Skills Course! This course is perfect for beginners who want to learn essential cooking skills. You will learn how to prepare simple and healthy meals. We will teach you basic cooking techniques, such as chopping, boiling, and frying. You will also learn how to read recipes, measure ingredients, and use kitchen tools safely. Our friendly tutor will guide you through each step. By the end of the course, you will be able to cook delicious meals for yourself and your family. Join us and gain the confidence to cook at home! This course is only for those who are living in Southampton.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 23/10/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Mount Pleasant School (Southampton)
Mount Pleasant Road
Newtown
Southampton
SO14 0WZ
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00017063
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.20

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Cooking Practical: Cooking from Scratch - Autumn Recipes

Cooking at home from scratch is a technique to create home cooked food in a way which is healthy for you. You are certain about all the ingredients which are in the dish, no hidden ingredients. You are in control of what you are putting in your food and eating. Preparing food for the family reflects your love for them. Cooking at home can be a new skill to learn. During this course your tutor will give you demonstration and individual attention for your guidance. In this course you will be cooking food which you can enjoy after each session with your loved ones.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/11/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kauser Nabeel
Course code:
Q00017599
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Personal Development: Introduction to mindfulness

Thrive in a Changing World: Build Your Emotional 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 05/11/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016606
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

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:
WEA Membership

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Personal Development: Gratitude journalling

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 well-being. 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:
Wed 06/11/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
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:
Q00016622
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Lipreading and Managing Hearing Loss

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 07/11/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Hayle Community Centre
58 Queensway
Hayle
TR27 4NX
Tutor:
Janet Corbett Marston
Course code:
Q00017041
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Building Emotional Resilience

Do you often feel overwhelmed? Would you like to have more control over your emotions? This course can teach you how to build emotional resilience through effective emotional awareness and confidence-building exercises. It’s easy to feel like everything is getting on top of us during these uncertain times. This Mental Resilience training can help you identify small steps to maintain calm during challenging situations. Avoid feeling like everything is unravelling and learn to deal with challenges when they come.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 08/11/2024 -
Fri 22/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Leicestershire Recovery College (Groby)
C/O Bradgare Unit
Glenfield Hospital Site
Groby
LE3 9EJ
Tutor:
Harsha Kotecha
Course code:
Q00017259
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Regaining Confidence and Self-esteem

Do you ever feel unsure of yourself? Perhaps around new people or at job interviews? If so, this self-esteem course can help you build tools to face these situations with confidence. Low self-esteem can hold you back in all areas of life. Whether you’d like to build confidence to step back into education, meet new people, or change jobs, confidence-building courses can teach you essential tools to change your mindset. Learn how to build self-esteem and overcome obstacles that are holding you back. The first step in your journey is believing you can successfully complete this course!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Mon 24/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Wakerley Court (Leicester)
41
Halstead Street
Leicester
LE5 3RQ
Tutor:
Harsha Kotecha
Course code:
Q00017258
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Regaining Confidence and Self-esteem

Do you ever feel unsure of yourself? Perhaps around new people or at job interviews? If so, this self-esteem course can help you build tools to face these situations with confidence. Low self-esteem can hold you back in all areas of life. Whether you’d like to build confidence to step back into education, meet new people, or change jobs, confidence-building courses can teach you essential tools to change your mindset. Learn how to build self-esteem and overcome obstacles that are holding you back. The first step in your journey is believing you can successfully complete this course!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Thu 21/11/2024
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Course code:
Q00012365
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Confidence to Learn

Would you like to learn new skills or change jobs? It can be hard to get back into learning after a long break. This confidence training will prepare you to feel comfortable stepping back into the classroom. This short course can help you bridge the gaps in your confidence and overcome the obstacles standing in your way to get back into learning. The objective of this course is to get you into a positive mindset to achieve your goals. You will practise a variety of confidence-building exercises to help that mindset shift come from within. Learn skills to help you succeed in online and face-to-face teaching settings. Regain forgotten study habits. Pick up techniques to help you organise and enjoy your learning process. Understand where you feel most and least sure of yourself and do confidence-building exercises to get the most out of your studies. Confidence-building courses help you improve your self-esteem and overcome obstacles that hold you back. By the end of this course, you will feel confident to go after your learning objectives.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 27/11/2024 -
Fri 30/05/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
20 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00017623
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60