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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Get Ready for Maths Multiply

Prepare for maths exams with our Get Ready for Maths Multiply course. Learn essential maths skills and techniques for effective exam preparation. Ideal for students looking to improve their maths proficiency and exam performance.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Persis Thomas
Course code:
Q00017804
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Driving Theory Test Preparation Part 1

Prepare for your driving theory test with our comprehensive Driving Theory Test Preparation Part 1 course. Gain the knowledge and confidence needed to pass your test and get one step closer to your driving licence.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Hope Street Ltd (Liverpool)
13A Hope Street
Entrance 24 Arrad Street
Liverpool
L1 9BQ
Tutor:
Andrea Ostapski
Course code:
Q00016615
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Managing Stress

Do you find it difficult to wind down? When we’re stressed it’s hard to feel calm and relaxed. But you don’t have to live with constant stress. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress awareness course is helpful for anyone who wants to learn to alleviate stress. In this course we will learn how to identify stress risk factors, recognise the symptoms of stress, and apply techniques to reduce it. Depending on your needs, there are various study options after this course.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 20/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Alpha Omega Women Peace
Security Foundation
Unit 10
Coppicemere Drive
Crewe
CW1 6HY
Tutor:
Caroline McDermott
Course code:
Q00016708
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Healthy Living; Lipreading and managing hearing loss

Come along and join our friendly lipreading group at The Centre in Newlyn. This class is suitable for all levels of lipreaders and is ideal for those recently experiencing hearing loss. Our experienced tutor will guide you through the basics of lipreading and show you how to practice your lipreading skills in everyday life. Research has shown that attending a lipreading class can give you greater: • Confidence to communicate with others • Control over your hearing loss, as you develop new communication skills • Independence, as you’re less reliant on others to help you follow conversation (Source RNID.org.uk) You will learn in a supportive environment alongside other learners who will be able to share their experiences of hearing loss and learn how to overcome them together

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Wed 26/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
The Centre, Newlyn (Penzance)
Chywoone Hill
Newlyn
Penzance
TR18 5AR
Tutor:
Janet Corbett Marston
Course code:
Q00016909
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

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

Fitness and Exercise: Afternoon Yoga for Everybody

The course is suitable for all ages and for those who have some previous knowledge of yoga practice. The practices will involve a wide range of techniques including posture, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation; study and reflection. Yoga is a traditional and contemporary class where each week there is a guided practice working on a variety of practices and techniques. These include posture, breathing and meditation practices. You will gain an understanding and insight into the subject area as well as leaning ways to improve your general, physical and mental health.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Arthur
Course code:
Q00012610
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens the bones making them fragile and more likely to break. The origin of the word is from the Greek language to mean 'porous bones'. Bones naturally have some empty space in them to allow them to bend and flex. Those with low bone density or osteoporosis have larger spaces and less bone mass - predisposing them to fractures and other bone injuries, especially in the hip, spinal vertebrae and some peripheral joints such as the wrists. Each week there is a simple, step by step guided practice to build bone strength, building and extending upon the previous week where we work on a variety of postures which are modified and adapted. These practices and techniques include slow, gentle, straightforward movements; breathing and relaxation techniques.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
9:15am - 10:00am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Arthur
Course code:
Q00012605
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.52

Pre-Entry English: Driving theory part 1

This 5-week course is designed to equip ESOL learners with the English language skills needed to successfully pass the UK driving theory test. Through focused practice and explanation, learners will develop their understanding of road rules, hazard perception, and vehicle handling, preparing them confidently for the test.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Samantha Singh
Course code:
Q00016693
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Thurmaston Community Centre
Silverdale Road
Thurmaston
Leicester
LE4 8NJ
Tutor:
Sukhwinder Garcha
Course code:
Q00018708
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £31.50

Multiply-Baking on a Budget

"Baking on a Budget" is an 11-hour course teaching basic baking skills while saving money. Learn how to bake, mix, flour, sugar, and butter. The course covers how to buy affordable ingredients, follow simple recipes, and store baked goods properly. You'll get hands-on practice, watch helpful videos, and join fun activities. The course also provides tips on fixing common baking problems and quizzes to test your knowledge. By the end, you'll know how to bake delicious treats without spending much money and understand basic baking vocabulary to confidently follow recipes.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
9:15am - 11:45am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Mount Pleasant School (Southampton)
Mount Pleasant Road
Newtown
Southampton
SO14 0WZ
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00019280
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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. This Mental Resilience training will help you identify aspects of your life or situations that are difficult emotionally. Work together with the group to develop strategies to deal with these emotions without falling apart. Explore various confidence-building exercises to help you handle your emotions. Learn how to build emotional resilience. You may do activities such as presenting to the class or surveying friends and family members. Emotional Resilience courses help you excel in personal and professional situations. By the end of this emotional awareness course you will have tools and strategies to feel stronger in the face of challenging situations. Depending on your needs, there are various study options after this course. You may consider a course in Assertiveness or Confidence Building. Please bear in mind that you’ll need to have access to the internet to take this confidence course online. Communicate with your tutor and access learning materials through Canvas, the WEA’s digital learning portal. We’re committed to helping you access and enjoy adult education. If there’s something we can do to help you, we will. Your learning is our priority. The WEA is an adult education provider and we pride ourselves on our ability to create a friendly classroom atmosphere, in person and online.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 20/02/2025
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Course code:
Q00013113
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00