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.

Retirement Planning

Are you approaching retirement age? Navigating the lifestyle change that retirement brings can be tricky. This retirement planning course aims to prepare you and your family for the changes that retirement brings. Its objective is to help you through the transition with ease so that you can enjoy this new phase of life. This short course will also help you gain an understanding of retirement planning services that exist to help you. This retirement planning training course covers personal planning and financial planning. Understand the emotional and personal changes that retirement brings. Consider how to plan your time and manage your relationships to maintain your emotional well-being. Is retirement really what it’s cracked up to be? Are you ready to retire? Research suggests that many people struggle to adjust to retirement although they may have been looking forward to it. How can we prepare ourselves effectively for this new phase of our lives? You may be someone who has always hankered to pursue a new career, volunteering or developing a new interest and would like the opportunity to fine tune and test out your ideas. We will be looking at your views about retirement, what some of the pitfalls might be, where you might start to look for financial planning advice, health, work and volunteering opportunities. Join us to explore this wonderful opportunity to have the time of your life!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 29/01/2025 -
Wed 29/01/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00012168
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

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

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 10/02/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Course code:
Q00017347
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

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! Many people are daunted by the prospect of looking for a job when they are over 50 - don't be join this course to find out how to do it with success.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 12/02/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00012166
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

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

Personal development: Managing your finances online

Multiply Online is your gateway to mathematical empowerment for financial literacy. Delve into essential topics including budgeting, understanding topics used for functional skills, school curriculum math support, credit comprehension, and maximizing financial resources. Key Topics: Budgeting money effectively Preparing for functional skills qualification(FS) Supporting children's math education Understanding credit and finance Optimising financial decisions Benefits: Practical math skills for everyday life Confidence in managing personal finances Empowerment to make informed financial decisions Enhanced support for children's math learning Increase your confidence with maths. Format: Engaging online modules, interactive exercises, and real-life application scenarios. Duration: Self-paced for flexibility! The course material is available online and accessible via smartphone, tablet, or computer. Additionally, there will be weekly face-to-face sessions to provide support for accessing the learning. Your numeracy coach will also maintain regular contact to support you throughout the course. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 14/02/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Times:
11:45am - 1:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015670
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

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.

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:
Mon 17/02/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
The Exchange Recovery College (Barnsley)
33 Gawber Road
Barnsley
S75 2AH
Tutor:
Michelle Lee
Course code:
Q00012754
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

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

Mens club - cooking on a budget

We will be cooking together in real time, making a variety of dishes, with advice and ideas on how to change the quantities to suit the number of people you are cooking for. We will look at ways of cooking and baking for one or two, or enough for a party. We shall be measuring ingredients and there will be time to find out about all the different ways measurements are written in recipes, so you can cook with confidence. Recipes will be put on Canvas before the course begins, so you can go shopping if you are going to cook along with me. All questions are welcome during the session, novice cooks are welcome along with those who have more experience and we will share ideas. Outcome: Double and halve the quantities in a recipe using metric and imperial measures while cooking a variety of dishes.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Location:
Hesters Way Community Resource Centre
Cassin Drive
Cheltenham
GL51 7SU
Course code:
Q00017032
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.

Fitness and Exercise: Monday Movement this Spring - Basic Jazz and Swing Dance Steps for Everyone

This is a great way to start the week if you like doing exercise, dancing and having fun. Keep fit and exercise with a fun and feelgood hour of music, movement and relaxation. Work at your own pace and level. Each session you will work on: - breathing exercises - simple stretching (to get warmed up & alert) - easy aerobic sequences - basic JAZZ & SWING dance moves (to incorporate into an uplifting song)

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Helen Watson
Course code:
Q00012288
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £18.50

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

Personal Development: Managing Your Wellbeing for Work, Life and Study

During this 6-week course, you will look at a variety of techniques that could help you to manage your wellbeing. Each week we will have a theme, that builds your knowledge around mental health wellbeing’s, for example, the NHS 5 steps the wellbeing, mindfulness, healthy lifestyles and work life balance. At the end of the course, you will have created a poster all the wellbeing techniques you like.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016730
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.

Personal Development: Public speaking

Unleash your inner speaker. On this 7-Week Public Speaking Journey This course will empower you to conquer your public speaking fears and deliver impactful presentations with confidence. You'll master the fundamentals of public speaking, gain practical experience through peer feedback sessions, and develop the skills to captivate any audience.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016745
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.

Pre-Entry English: Driving theory part 2

This driving theory course part 2 will help you to master the essentials of driving theory in English with this comprehensive course! Get ready for your learner's permit test with confidence by building a strong foundation in road rules, traffic signs, and safe driving practices.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 27/02/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nadia Belmajdoub
Course code:
Q00016746
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00