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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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

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
Times:
11:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Tutor:
Dulcie Allan
Course code:
Q00012365
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Communicating Confidently

Would you like to feel more confident in conversations, meetings, or speaking in public? If you struggle to find your voice or get your point across, this communication skills course can help you feel more comfortable in conversation. Improving your communication skills can go a long way towards boosting your confidence in these situations. Learn effective tools and techniques to improve your communication skills. Whether you want to feel more comfortable meeting new people, holding union meetings or participating in community discussions, these confidence-building exercises can help you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 25/11/2024 -
Mon 13/01/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00013192
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Keeping track of your finances digitally: financial literacy

This course empowers you to take control of your finances using digital tools and build a strong foundation in financial literacy. In today's digital age, there are numerous apps and software programs designed to simplify money management. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to leverage these tools effectively, transforming your financial well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 29/11/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Selina Annon
Course code:
Q00016639
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

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

Cooking Practical: Christmas on a budget

Cooking a homemade Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Learn how to feed the whole family with a tasty and affordable festive meal in this Christmas 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Hesters Way Community Resource Centre
Cassin Drive
Cheltenham
GL51 7SU
Tutor:
Julia Milton
Course code:
Q00013010
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Understanding ADHD: Living with ADHD

Feeling disorganized, forgetful, or struggling to focus? ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) might be the reason. This course explores the realities of living with ADHD, empowering you to understand the symptoms, navigate challenges, and discover strategies for success at home, work, and in relationships.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/12/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sanjaya Grero
Course code:
Q00016655
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Would you like to learn techniques to relax and wind down? When we’re stressed or anxious it’s hard to feel calm. Anxiety affects over 8 million people in the UK at any time. But you don’t have to live with constant stress or anxiety. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress management course is ideal if you want to learn habits to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you lead a healthier and fuller life

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/12/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Tutor:
Dulcie Allan
Course code:
Q00012584
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 2)

Continue developing English skills to help you in work and everyday life situations. This functional skills English entry 2 course teaches you skills for reading, writing, and communicating in English. Learn how to improve your writing skills and build on the basic reading skills from entry 1. Adult English courses teach you practical communication skills to help you get a job or study. Develop your English skills through real-life situations. This course teaches you tools and resources to improve your use of English in new and familiar situations. These skills can help you succeed in your studies, professional situations, and social interactions. This is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
23 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michelle Lee
Course code:
Q00018353
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 3)

Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations. Functional Skills entry 3 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
23 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michelle Lee
Course code:
Q00018352
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Understanding your finances

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 This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 07/02/2025
Times:
11:45am - 1:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015664
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00