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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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:
Tue 09/07/2024 -
Tue 09/07/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Health Resource Centre (Newcastle upon T
Adelaide Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8BE
Tutor:
Maryam Knowles
Course code:
Q00016202
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.50

Multiply Essex: Money management & budgeting at Colchester Library

Whether it’s budgeting or managing your bank account, this course will help you plan your way around personal and family finances, teaching you how to calculate and manage money. The focus is on giving you practical skills and knowledge in numbers to help you manage your money better. You'll learn ways to take charge of your finances, easing the impact of growing living costs. Enrol on our course to gain skills and tools for better financial management.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 10/07/2024 -
Wed 10/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Colchester Library
Trinity Square
Colchester
CO1 1JB
Tutor:
Derek Robinson
Course code:
Q00015415
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Helping your child with numbers for Purfleet Trust (Multiply Norfolk)

Do you lack confidence with maths? Do you want to be able to support your children with their schoolwork? As a parent, you play an important role in shaping your child's mathematical future. This course will empower you with creative and practical approaches to make numbers engaging and accessible. You will learn fun and engaging ways to support your children with number skills development that will help you grow as a maths educator and foster a positive attitude towards learning and numeracy. This is a free course for parents like you, with tips and tactics to help your primary school children with numbers even if you struggle with numbers yourself!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/07/2024 -
Thu 11/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Purfleet Pantry
Southgates Roundabout
King's Lynn
PE30 5SX
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00015322
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/07/2024 -
Thu 11/07/2024
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Joanne Liddle
Course code:
Q00017567
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

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:
WEA Membership

Saving Money & Being Sustainable

Nowadays there are many ways to be green and consume responsibly. From reducing buying habits to repurposing and recycling things we no longer need, it’s never been easier to adopt sustainable habits. And the good news is that sustainable practices help you save money, too. This sustainable finance course introduces you to money-saving tactics that align with green agendas. Being sustainable is about recycling, reducing, reusing, and generally consuming less. This course is ideal for you if you want to learn nifty ways to save money whilst helping the environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/07/2024 -
Mon 15/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Brinkburn CIO
Off Harton Lane
South Shields
NE34 0PP
Tutor:
Kathleen Scott
Course code:
Q00012958
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Care 2: Try Out Meditation

Join me in this interactive experience where you might travel to India, Egypt or even inside your body to help stimulate your body on a cellular level to help with disease or distress. This class offers you a guided meditation that will relax your mind and body. What a wonderful way to start your day with a progression route offered at the end of this introductory session.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/07/2024 -
Mon 15/07/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00014610
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Hygiene in the Kitchen

Hygiene is so important in food preparation. If caterers, chefs and wait staff are not adequately trained they can present huge health risks to the community. If you help out in a community or voluntary role, you may need to work with food. Understanding the safe handling of food is key to preventing infections and ensuring proper hygiene. Food safety courses are useful if you do any kind of charity or voluntary work that involves handling food. Whether you help prepare lunches at a community centre or collaborate with a food bank, this knowledge can help you ensure hygiene measures are followed.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/07/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Debbie Woodward
Course code:
Q00016023
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Multiply Essex: Money management & budgeting with Reed in Partnership

Whether it’s budgeting or managing your bank account, this course will help you plan your way around personal and family finances, teaching you how to calculate and manage money. The focus is on giving you practical skills and knowledge in numbers to help you manage your money better. You'll learn ways to take charge of your finances, easing the impact of growing living costs. Enrol on our course to gain skills and tools for better financial management.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 22/07/2024 -
Mon 22/07/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Reed in Partnership
10tth Floor
Maitland House
Warrior Street
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 2JY
Tutor:
Derek Robinson
Course code:
Q00017109
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Cooking on a Budget (Multiply West Sussex)

*Please note that this isa course exclusively for residents living in a West Sussex postcode area - please do not apply if you do not live in West Sussex. Thanks for your understanding.* 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:
Wed 24/07/2024 -
Wed 24/07/2024
Times:
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Wilcock
Course code:
Q00015979
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Confidence Skills- Seasons

This course will guide the students and lead them into exploring different topics relating to the subject of the four seasons. The group will participate in activities and art work that illustrate those themes. The students will be involved in different activities to encourage increased knowledge about the subjects. The tasks will be supported by discussions and the sharing of views. The workshop will also develop art skills and foster good social skills. The culmination of the workshop will be to produce practical tasks that illustrate the various themes covered.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 25/07/2024 -
Thu 25/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Moorland Community Centre (Lincoln)
Moorland Avenue
Lincoln
LN6 7NH
Tutor:
Sally Darlow
Course code:
Q00014539
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80



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