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.

Personal Development: Budgeting skills

Feeling overwhelmed by household finances? Tired of wondering where your money goes? This 4-week course will empower you to take control with basic budgeting skills. We'll unravel the mystery of household budgeting, making it manageable and clear. Explore smart supermarket schemes and discover if they truly benefit you or the stores.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016753
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: Cooking for Summer

The purpose of this course is to promote your confidence and independence through cooking. This course is about learning what is meant by seasonal summer foods and dishes. The course will explore a range of savoury and sweet foods and dishes associated with the summer months. You will look at why these foods and dishes are seen as summer foods. For example, you will look at vegetables and fruit grown and harvested in the summer and why the fruit and vegetables work so well to be eaten at this time of year. There will be weekly opportunities to prepare summer dishes.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Sacred Heart Church Hall
8 Townsend Road
Minehead
TA24 5RG
Tutor:
Rebecca Williams
Course code:
Q00017180
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £218.40

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 08/05/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Hayle Community Centre
58 Queensway
Hayle
TR27 4NX
Tutor:
Janet Corbett Marston
Course code:
Q00017049
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.

Personal Development: Build your 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 03/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016764
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 journaling

This 7-week course is your gateway to a more fulfilling life! Discover the transformative power of gratitude journaling, a practice that combines mindfulness and writing to boost your wellbeing. Explore how expressing gratitude can shift your perspective and cultivate a more positive outlook. Learn practical journaling techniques to track your everyday blessings and witness the uplifting impact on your mood.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
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:
Q00016769
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: 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 04/06/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016768
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: Health and safety at home

During this 6 week introduction to health and safety within the home, will covering all the main health and safety risks within the home, for example, manual handling, trips and falls, COSHH, food safety and food allergens.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 04/06/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Course code:
Q00016770
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.

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 27/06/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015763
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

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

Mens club - mens shed

Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 07/07/2025 -
Mon 28/07/2025
Location:
Oakley Resource Centre Hub
Clyde Crescent
Cheltenham
GL52 5QL
Course code:
Q00017031
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

Maths Online Self Study Course (Multiply Norfolk)

This course is for residents of Norfolk only- Please only apply for this course if you live in the County of Norfolk. Do you lack confidence with numbers? On this self-study course, you will use the WEA's fun, engaging, interactive multimedia resources to help grow your confidence with maths. You can learn at your own pace, at a time that suits you and take as long as you need to complete the course. From working out your household budget, to helping your kids with their school work, there is a module for you. From time to time, one of our friendly Numeracy Coaches will check in with you to provide any support that you need.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 01/08/2023 -
Wed 31/07/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00011222
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee:
Free

Multiply: Maths Online (North Somerset)

Learn at your own pace in your own time, with or without the support of our Numeracy Champions and improve your number skills at home, work and in daily life. You use numbers every day, from working your household budget to helping the kids with their homework. Every time you do the weekly shop or trying to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis, you’re using maths skills. *Please note you can access this course at a time that suits you as many times as you like ! This Course is for learners based in north Somerset only.* The tutor will be running drop in support sessions twice a week on a Monday and Wednesday from 13th November to the 27th March at North Somerset training hub.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/11/2023 -
Sun 31/03/2024
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Course code:
Q00012643
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee:
Free

Multiply - Number Confidence: Online Learning (West Sussex)

Learn at your own pace in your own time, with or without the support of our Numeracy Champions and improve your number skills at home, work and in daily life. You use numbers every day, from working your household budget to helping the kids with their homework. Every time you do the weekly shop or trying to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis, you’re using maths skills. If you'd like further information, or need help with booking please email: [email protected] *Please note you can access this course at a time that suits you as many times as you like! Sessions below are indicative only

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 25/01/2024 -
Wed 25/12/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00013792
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee:
Free

Maths Multiply 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 22/04/2024 -
Wed 25/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
26 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Kasia Wakeling
Course code:
Q00015390
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee:
Free