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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Care2: Meditation Taster

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. It will provide a good overview of meditation practice, as well as some guided meditations, which help you learn how to establish and sustain a daily meditation practice
Dates:
Fri 16/05/2025 -
Fri 16/05/2025
Times:
11:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Debra Collis
Course code:
Q00021467
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

SCC - Ways to Wellbeing

Welcome to the ‘Ways to Wellbeing’ course. On this course you will explore practical ways to enhance mental health through five key themes: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. You will engage in interactive sessions covering social connections, physical activities, mindfulness practices, learning new skills, and acts of kindness. Each session integrates discussions, exercises, and reflective activities to foster personal growth and wellbeing. By the end of the course, students will have gained strategies to improve their overall mental and emotional health, promoting a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle." This is free for anyone living in Southampton.
Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Thu 03/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00016939
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £130.20

Supporting Children & Teens with ADHD

Do you regularly interact with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, studying ADHD courses could help you greatly improve the support you offer them. This equality & diversity course is especially useful for parents and carers. You will understand the ADHD brain and the difficulties faced by children and teens with ADHD.
Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00018975
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Budget Planning & Saving on Bills

Effective budget planning can make you feel like you’ve had a pay rise. Organising your personal budget and understanding your outgoings is the first step towards healthy financial well-being. And the good news is - budgeting is a skill anyone can learn. This budgeting course is right for you if you want to improve your financial well-being. Whether you’re trying to cope with the cost of living crisis or just want to plan your finances better, this course can help you. You do not need advanced maths skills to take this course. It is appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.
Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Wed 18/06/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017826
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Care2: Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Do you love the enchanted world of stories? Remember how hearing stories read aloud made you warm and happy? Yes? Then this is the course for you. A friendly, gentle reading and self-discovery circle. The power of shared reading is good for the soul. Come discover modern fiction and true stories on heart-warming themes like friendship, community, hope, love and food. Each week we’ll read and reflect on the story, on our own lives. We’ll share and tell our own tales, from books we read as children, from stories of our own lives.
Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Tue 17/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00021449
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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 21/05/2025 -
Wed 21/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021699
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Cooking Practical: Springtime Cookery

Learn to cook with fresh seasonal ingredients.
Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00021568
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Care 2 Try Reflexology

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. It is designed for those who have an interest in learning how to apply reflexology to the hands and feet on either themselves or family members. Even if you have prior knowledge in other forms of massage or are a complete beginner, join me for a relaxed and informal space to start looking after your own health and wellbeing. Your teacher, Georgia, has been a reflexology/yoga/aromatherapy/Indian head massage enthusiast for over 30 years and has trained many students in all subject areas, who have progressed to become successful therapists. During this relaxed and friendly short course, you will learn about the techniques used for this wonderful modality.
Dates:
Tue 27/05/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
9:00am - 10:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00021692
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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.
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

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.
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