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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Fitness and Exercise: Pilates for Well-being

This course introduces participants to Pilates, a low-impact exercise method designed to improve flexibility, strength, posture, and overall well-being. Through controlled movements and focused breathing, participants will develop core stability, reduce tension, and enhance both physical and mental relaxation. Suitable for beginners and those looking to improve their mobility, this course offers a gentle yet effective approach to movement for stress relief and improved body awareness.
Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 21/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Delves Lane Community association (Conse
Village Hall
Delves Lane
Consett
DH8 7BH
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00021944
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2 aromatherapy

This course is for Carers, Former Carers and the Cared for. For absolute beginners right through to those who have a little experience in the fascinating subject of floral aromatherapy. This course will inform you of a wide range of floral oils, where they grow, what they are good for and a little history of each oil. Comprehensive notes will be provided on Canvas for you to download and refer to. This course encourages individuals to share and discuss your aromatherapy journey. The aim is for you to incorporate oils into your everyday life. You may have your own oils that you can bring to the session, you may want to purchase the range of oils prior to the course but this is not mandatory.
Dates:
Mon 28/04/2025 -
Mon 28/04/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00021490
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
4.55

Healthy Lifestyles: Creative Journaling

This course will give you the opportunity to explore inner thoughts and emotions through creative journalling. Journalling can help you to focus your intentions, ease anxiety and identify the things you would like to change with purpose. Sometimes in life we can feel overwhelmed, and this can contribute to a lack of motivation. This is known as a mental block. Journaling has been proven to help individuals improve their mental health and work through difficult times. By sharing your Journal with the group, you will not be left alone to struggle with your thoughts and feelings in isolation.
Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 17/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017190
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £147.00

Care 2 Auricular Therapy

This course is for Carers, Former Carers and the Cared for. This course is delivered in a relaxed and informative way, where we look at the intriguing science of auricular therapy. Designed equip you the knowledge of how you can work on the acupressure points on your ears to alleviate pain, stress and enhance your life and wellbeing. In a similar way that reflexology is a mirror of the body on the hands and feet, auricular therapy is simply the body mapped on the ear. We will cover how to apply this modality and the theoretical application of how to massage your ears and the correlating areas. Auriculotherapy has shown to have positive effects while associated to conventional treatments of insomnia, chronic and acute pain.
Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 29/04/2025
Times:
9:00am - 10:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00021696
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Communicating with Confidence

This micro course is designed for learners who want to improve their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves. On this short course you will explore techniques for clear and effective communication in different situations, including conversations, group discussions, and presentations. The course covers essential skills such as active listening, body language, and managing nerves when speaking. Through practical exercises and supportive feedback, you will gain the confidence to communicate assertively and positively in personal, professional, and community settings. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their self-expression and build stronger connections with others.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 30/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021693
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Healthy Living: Yoga

Begin your yoga journey with our Healthy Living: Yoga course. Learn the foundational principles of yoga, including breathwork, meditation, and basic poses. Ideal for individuals new to yoga or those looking to refresh their practice.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shekinah Endeavour House (Torquay)
Endeavour House, 228 Union Str
Torquay
TQ2 5QS
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00017083
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £52.50

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga for All

This course will work with a range of yoga postures/asanas: seated, lying, standing and inverted. The sessions are adapted to the needs of the individual and each session will finish with both meditation and a guided relaxation. This course is suitable for everyone.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Church of resurrection/St. Albans Commun
Weymouth Street
Leicester
LE4 6FN
Tutor:
Nerissa Fields
Course code:
Q00021827
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Art Appreciation: Painting and Drawing for well-being

This course is designed for learners who want to explore the fundamentals of painting and drawing. Learners will develop basic techniques in sketching, shading, colour mixing, and composition. Through guided exercises and creative projects, learners will gain confidence in expressing themselves artistically while working with different mediums such as pencil, charcoal, watercolours, and acrylics. Painting and drawing can help boost your mental health and well-being whilst being creative and engaging with like-minded learners from the local community.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
The Cornforth Partnership (Ferryhill)
68-70 High Street
West Cornforth
Ferryhill
North East
DL17 9HS
Tutor:
Damien Wootten
Course code:
Q00021804
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Cooking Practical: Air Fryer Cooking

Unlock the potential of your air fryer in this practical and delicious cooking course. Designed for beginners and home cooks, this class will guide you through the basics of air fryer usage, cleaning, and care while introducing you to a variety of recipes that highlight the versatility of this kitchen appliance. From crispy snacks to wholesome meals and even desserts, you’ll learn how to create healthier versions of your favourite dishes with minimal oil and maximum flavour.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Sat 24/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Nadia Belmajdoub
Course code:
Q00021945
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Fitness and Exercise: Summer Dance and Performing Arts

A fun and relaxed class with singing, dance, drama games and activities. Suitable for all abilities. Come join in the fun.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ashley Place (Bognor Regis)
Kings Parade
Bognor Regis
PO21 2QP
Tutor:
Suzanne Swain
Course code:
Q00020075
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00