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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Building Confidence and Resilience

This course is designed to help you develop the skills to navigate life's challenges with greater self-assurance and adaptability. You will explore what assertiveness, confidence, and resilience mean, while assessing your own levels and identifying areas for growth. Discover how stress impacts your confidence and resilience, and learn practical strategies to manage it effectively. By the end of the course, you’ll create a personalized action plan to build and sustain your confidence and resilience, empowering you to achieve personal and professional goals. This supportive and interactive course is perfect for anyone seeking to boost their self-belief and inner strength.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 17/02/2025 -
Mon 10/03/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Harsha Kotecha
Course code:
Q00021238
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

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:
Wed 19/02/2025 -
Thu 20/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00019280
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Multiply: Get Confident with Maths

"Get Confident with Maths" is designed for adults who want to overcome their fears and gain confidence in their mathematical skills. Whether you're returning to learning or looking to brush up on your basics, this short introductory course will guide you through essential maths concepts in a supportive, fun and engaging environment. You'll explore practical maths applications and gain the confidence needed to tackle everyday tasks with ease. By the end of the course, you will be ready to explore your next steps in your Maths journey.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 19/02/2025 -
Wed 19/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Taaziz Grada
Course code:
Q00021225
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £18.50

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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 relationships with family and friends. We will explore what the word actually means (its use and misuse), how to recognise the signs, and what can be done about it.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 24/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018673
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Everyday Life Skills - Interpersonal Skills

Have you always wanted to become more skilful when communicating with others? This course will help you to understand what is meant by interpersonal skills and how to be more effective when interacting with other people in a variety of situations. Every individual has a personal style and an interpersonal style. Some people are more successful than others at using interpersonal skills for specific, desired results. This course will offer you the opportunity to practice speaking in different life situations, helping you to gain confidence and be more prepared for the conversations you may find most challenging, including interviews and/or difficult conversations with the people who are close to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 22/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017750
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £189.00

Personal Development: Continuing to Progress in BSL

This course is intended to help existing learners that have previously attended BSL classes to progress further in their conversation building skills. The course will concentrate on the need for clarification and interrupting conversations to ask further questions to aid understanding. Learners will also increase vocabulary in the following three areas: Emotions, Employment and Homelife. This course will be taught face to face at St Mary’s Community Centre, Pontefract and will be facilitated through the use of Canvas a Digital Learning Platform. Learners will take part in various learning activities such as discussions, paired and group work and tutor led demonstrations

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 06/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
St Marys Community Centre (PONTEFRACT)
The Circle
Chequerfield
PONTEFRACT
WF8 2AY
Tutor:
Caroline Cleghorn
Course code:
Q00019981
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to support stress management

Discover effective stress management with our Meditation and Mindfulness for Stress course. This class focuses on techniques to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being. Through guided meditations and mindfulness practices, you will learn to calm the mind, release tension, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Suitable for all levels, this course empowers you to manage stress effectively in a supportive learning environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018252
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Fitness and Exercise: Seated Aerobics

Get Moving and Feel Empowered! It is said that sitting for long, uninterrupted periods of time may leave you more prone to cardiovascular problems. So come along to this Seated Aerobics course to get those limbs moving, and those hearts pumping!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Location:
Gladys Court Bournemouth
70/72 Wellington Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8JG
Course code:
Q00016945
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Money Management (ESOL)

This course helps learners develop essential money management skills while improving their English. Participants will learn how to create a budget, save effectively, manage debt, and understand financial services such as banking and insurance. The course also covers consumer rights, contracts, and dealing with financial issues. Focused on real-life situations, learners will practice essential English vocabulary and phrases used in everyday financial transactions. By the end of the course, students will feel more confident in managing their finances and navigating the financial aspects of life in an English-speaking environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 26/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Worthing Library Committee Room (Worthin
Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1HD
Tutor:
Jane Perrin
Course code:
Q00021305
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free