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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ParentingConfidence skillsBudgeting and number skillsHealth & wellbeing Cookery & bakingSelf developmentCommunication skills

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Confidence Building for Creatives

Build your confidence as a creative professional with our Confidence Building for Creatives course. Ideal for artists, writers, and other creatives looking to overcome self-doubt and take the next step in their creative journey.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Fri 29/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
20 sessions
Location:
Abakhan (Liverpool)
44 Stafford Street
Liverpool
L3 8LX
Tutor:
Amanda Meaghan
Course code:
Q00017535
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Beginners British Sign Language (BSL)

If you have contact with deaf people in your day-to-day life, you may want to take a British Sign Language course. Knowing how to sign can make your communication more inclusive for everyone you interact with. This BSL course is suitable for you if you need to communicate with deaf people in a voluntary or community role, or simply through social interactions. This course is aimed at complete beginners. You will start from scratch to learn foundational BSL skills.
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Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
WHIST (South Shields)
Salus House
33 Mile end Road
South Shields
NE33 1TA
Tutor:
Joanne Liddle
Course code:
Q00018934
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Multiply: Managing Money

Empower yourself with practical skills to manage your money, make savvy shopping decisions, and master the art of budgeting with our Money Management Essentials course. Explore everyday scenarios like comparing prices, optimizing transportation costs, and meal planning, gaining insights to navigate personal finance confidently. With interactive lessons, practical exercises, and flexible learning, this short course is tailored for beginners and those seeking to refine their financial literacy. Join us on the path to financial empowerment and take control of your financial future today!
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Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Fri 25/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Taona Makunde
Course code:
Q00015463
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Confidence to Learn: Study Skills

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.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 16/10/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00017548
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

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Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Personal Development: Confidence to Learn: Study Skills

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.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 16/10/2024
Location:
Ann Tayler Children's Centre (Hackney)
1-13 Triangle Road
Off Westgate Street
Hackney
E8 3RP
Course code:
Q00017549
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Cooking Practical: Introduction to Cookery

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 an introduction session to cooking simple foods that are both healthy, nutritious and cost effective. This course is ideal for you if you’d like to learn how to cook homemade meals on a reduced budget. Join our friendly tutor at the Keyham Green Places in Plymouth for a course aimed at all levels. All equipment is supplied.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Keyham Green Places (Plymouth)
163 Renown Street
Plymouth
PL2 2DT
Tutor:
Paul Keller
Course code:
Q00017369
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Trade Union Education: Gaslighting – Family & Friends

Do you know what ‘gaslighting’ is? Most people have heard of the term, but many do not understand what it really means. This workshop will delve into the issue of gaslighting in the context of the workplace. We will explore what the word actually means (its use and misuse), how to recognise the signs, and what can be done about it.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 25/09/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018670
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Meditation and Mindfulness

Leading a busy life leaves little room for calm and relaxation. This can make it hard for us to wind down and enjoy the present. But finding these moments of calm is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. This meditation and mindfulness course is ideal if you want to learn to relax, be present, and alleviate stress in your life. Meditation courses teach us to recognise the importance of conscious thought in our everyday lives. Develop concentration strategies to help focus your mind. Understand the principles of mindfulness. Learn to block out intrusive thoughts and enjoy the present moment.
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Course Information

Dates:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 20/11/2024
Times:
6:45pm - 8:45pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nerissa Fields
Course code:
Q00010427
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Personal Development: Reflexology for Pain Management

"Personal Care: Reflexology for Pain Management" is a specialized course designed to introduce students to the ancient practice of reflexology with a focus on alleviating pain. This course combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice, enabling students to understand the principles of reflexology and apply techniques to manage and reduce pain effectively. Participants will explore the reflex points on the feet, hands, and ears and learn how to stimulate these areas to promote relaxation and pain relief. The course takes place in a friendly and encouraging environment, supported by a specialist tutor and the team at WEA.
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Course Information

Dates:
Thu 26/09/2024 -
Thu 31/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Cortonwood Comeback Centre (Barnsley)
Old Chapel
Chapel Avenue, Brampton
Barnsley
S73 0XQ
Tutor:
Karen Hunter
Course code:
Q00018263
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Trade Union Education: Gaslighting – The Workplace

Do you know what ‘gaslighting’ is? Most people have heard of the term, but many do not understand what it really means. This workshop will delve into the issue of gaslighting in the context of the workplace. We will explore what the word actually means (its use and misuse), how to recognise the signs, and what can be done about it.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 30/09/2024 -
Mon 30/09/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018671
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40