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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Navigating Digital Information Multiply

Improve your digital literacy with our Navigating Digital Information Multiply course. Learn how to find, evaluate, and use digital information effectively. Ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their digital skills for personal and professional use. This course, funded through Multiply in Portsmouth, is designed to empower individuals with essential everyday life skills. Learners will engage in practical sessions that cover a range of topics including budgeting, art, digital literacy, and effective communication. The course emphasises hands-on learning and real-world applications to enhance independence and confidence. Whether you’re looking to improve your financial management, learn new skills, navigate technology, or boost your interpersonal skills, this course provides the tools and support to thrive in daily life.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/01/2025 -
Mon 03/03/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00017143
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Using a Spreadsheet to Manage Finances Multiply

Learn how to use spreadsheets to manage your finances with our Using a Spreadsheet to Manage Finances Multiply course. Understand basic spreadsheet functions and how to apply them to budgeting and financial planning. Ideal for individuals looking to improve their financial literacy and digital skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 21/01/2025 -
Tue 18/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00017800
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Makaton

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 21/01/2025 -
Tue 08/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Easington Lane Community Access Point
Easington Lane
Houghton - le- Spring
DH5 0LE
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00019291
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Beginners Lip Reading

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. Lip reading for beginners gives you an introduction to some essential lip shapes. Explore deaf awareness issues to understand how hearing loss affects communication. Learn about speech patterns and cues to facilitate interactions. If you have hearing loss, learning skills and strategies to take advantage of residual hearing can also help you get the most out of social interactions. Please note this course is delivered online via ZOOM.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 21/01/2025 -
Tue 18/03/2025
Times:
9:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Debra Blinston
Course code:
Q00020674
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

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 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 22/01/2025 -
Wed 22/01/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
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

Multiply: Maths for Support workers in School

This Maths course is funded for learners who are already employed or who are on a vocational programme working towards employment in a specific sector. This course is for West Midlands Combined Authority residents. This Multiply: Maths for Support Workers in Schools course provides essential maths skills tailored for support staff in school settings. Across six sessions, learners will gain confidence in practical numeracy areas like basic maths, fractions, percentages, measurement, and data interpretation. Each session connects mathematical concepts to real-life tasks, enabling participants to support children's learning effectively and enhance classroom engagement. This course is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 22/01/2025 -
Wed 26/02/2025
Times:
9:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Andy Dowd
Course code:
Q00019677
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Beginners Lip Reading

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. Lip reading for beginners gives you an introduction to some essential lip shapes. Explore deaf awareness issues to understand how hearing loss affects communication. Learn about speech patterns and cues to facilitate interactions.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 22/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Congleton Library (Congleton)
Congleton Library
Market Street
Congleton
CW12 1BU
Tutor:
Debra Blinston
Course code:
Q00020673
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Personal Development: Beginners nail course

This is an introductory course where you will learn everything about Nail treatments. Perhaps you would like to learn how to paint your own nails to save money visiting a salon every month, or perhaps you see yourself one day with your own business. This course is designed to give you all the insight into the Nail Industry, from a tutor who is currently working in the nail, hair and beauty sector you will gain all the relevant knowledge and skills to progress. This course can also support you onto a qualification in nails if this is something you want to pursue.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 22/01/2025 -
Wed 19/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
The Wider World Project
Belmont Community Centre
Sunderland Road
Durham
DH1 2LL
Tutor:
Tracey Carver
Course code:
Q00020243
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Manging stress, fatigue and overwhelm

Stress affects most people in the country at some point in life. Understanding the harmful effects of stress is essential to maintaining good mental health and well-being. This stress awareness course can help you recognise and deal with stress when it happens. This mental health awareness training helps you understand what you and others may be experiencing. It is also useful if you work in a support role such as mentor, counsellor, or carer. It will teach you important skills for care jobs if you want to work in adult social care.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 24/01/2025 -
Fri 14/02/2025
Location:
Kings Quarter
The Forum, NEM House
37-41 Clarence Street
Gloucester
GL1 1EA
Course code:
Q00017033
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Personal Development: Build Your Confidence (Women Only)

This Confidence Building course is ideal for anyone wishing to learn new skills to improve their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 24/01/2025 -
Sat 05/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00010670
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60