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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Personal Development Study Skills 

Develop effective study skills with our comprehensive course. Learn techniques for time management, note-taking, and exam preparation. Ideal for students and professionals looking to enhance their academic performance and productivity.
Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 10/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Joanna Browning-Seyfi
Course code:
Q00021824
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Care2: Drawing for Mindfulness

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Drawing for Mindfulness ; taking some moments in your day to connect with your creativity and your sense of play. A key part of this session is tuning in to how you’re feeling, connecting with the breath and taking notice of what you’re doing. By letting go of pre-conceived ideas, you can start to see things as they truly are and gives you the opportunity to draw what you see, not what you think you see. Through this curiosity, you can stay engaged and turn drawing into an adventure, letting go of judgement, and creating a sense of 'flow' in the moment.
Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 13/05/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Debra Collis
Course code:
Q00021476
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Mindfulness and Creative Writing in Nature

Discover the wonderful practice of Mindfulness combined with Nature Connection to support your mental health recovery and well being. This is a friendly course designed to support mental health recovery, resilience and well being in order to contribute to a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world. The aim is to help you manage difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression and enhance your well being by bringing more awareness to your life while practising having the self confidence to express yourself. It is ideal for those who want to keep physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually fit. It will offer you guidelines, like helping hands, to move you deeper into your own authenticity and into a life that is richer and fuller, simply because you are living with more skill. This course is designed for all bodies and is ideal for people who like to contemplate how to live more skilfully as individuals, as a community and in relationship with your environment.
Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
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

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 14/05/2025 -
Wed 14/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021697
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Fitness and Exercise: Mental Health Awareness week – Yoga to improve mental wellbeing

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, join our Yoga to Improve Mental Wellbeing course. This class focuses on yoga practices designed to enhance mental health and emotional balance. Through a blend of gentle postures, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques, you will learn methods to calm the mind and support mental clarity. Suitable for all levels, this course encourages you to listen to your body and adapt practices to meet your individual needs. Enjoy a supportive environment where you can develop effective strategies for improving your mental wellbeing and overall quality of life through yoga.
Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018236
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Ways to Wellbeing: Herbs

This course is designed for those interested in using wonderful herbal essential oils and combining massage techniques with themselves or family members. Even if you have prior knowledge in aromatherapy and any other forms of massage or are a complete beginner, join me for a relaxed and informal session and start looking after your own health and well-being. 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 a wide range of herbal essential oils and how each one has a wide range of amazing uses. You can use your newfound knowledge to either work on yourself or bring a family member or friend to use as a model to practice upon.
Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00017008
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

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:
Bex Harper
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:
9 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

Care 2: Simple Remedies to Combat Stress and Anxiety

This course if for carers, those who have cared, and the card for. This course will enhance well being with a variety of techniques and easy tips to help the body cope with stress and anxiety.
Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Mon 19/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00021815
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free