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.

Skip to courses

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.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

Healthy Living: Health and Wellbeing: Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing

Improve your mental health with our Healthy Living: Health and Wellbeing: Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing course. Learn practical strategies for boosting mental wellbeing through simple, effective lifestyle changes. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their mental health and overall quality of life.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 27/02/2025 -
Thu 03/04/2025
Times:
1:15pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Rector's Way Allotments (Weston-super-Ma
Rectors Way
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 3NP
Tutor:
Matt Doolan
Course code:
Q00017825
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £56.70

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga to support a healthy digestive system

Discover the benefits of yoga for your digestive health with our Yoga to Support a Healthy Digestive System course. This class focuses on yoga practices designed to enhance digestion and alleviate digestive discomfort. Through a combination of gentle postures, breathwork, and relaxation techniques, you will learn methods to stimulate and support your digestive organs. Suitable for all levels, this course encourages mindful movement and listening to your body's needs. Experience a supportive environment where you can improve your digestive health, increase comfort, and enhance overall well-being through the practice of yoga.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 28/02/2025 -
Fri 04/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:00am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018232
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Lip Reading

This course is designed to equip participants with essential lip-reading skills. You will learn to recognise common lip movements, apply practical strategies for daily communication, understand effective communication techniques, and explore technology solutions for emergency situations. Through hands-on exercises and online resources, you will develop the confidence to engage in conversations with ease. The course is only open for referred patients from the Audiology Department who fund these courses. Please quote the code that is stated in your letter to book on,

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 28/02/2025 -
Fri 04/04/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Shrewsbury LIbrary
Castle Gates
Shrewsbury
SY1 2AS
Tutor:
Alaina Allen Nnaji
Course code:
Q00020160
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Entry 3)

Take your maths skills to the next level to help you with work or study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical numeracy skills for everyday life. This entry 3 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Functional skills maths courses aren’t like studying maths at school. You’ll learn maths in context. Develop maths skills to face real-life situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This entry 3 functional maths course is right for you if you want to enhance your maths skills to work or study. It can help you learn essential maths skills employers look for. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/03/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
27 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019218
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Cooking Practical: Preparing for Level 2 Food Hygiene

Welcome to the Preparing for Level 2 Food Hygiene Course! This course will cover essential topics to prepare you for Level 2 certification. You will learn about food safety practices, hygiene regulations, and how to prevent contamination. Our tutor will guide you through proper food handling, storage, and cleaning techniques. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of food safety principles and be ready to take your knowledge to the next level. Join us to ensure safe and hygienic food practices in any setting!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/03/2025 -
Wed 23/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Mount Pleasant School (Southampton)
Mount Pleasant Road
Newtown
Southampton
SO14 0WZ
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00017064
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Healthy Lifestyle: Meditation and Mindfulness

This course encourages you to explore how mindful living can cultivate a new attitude towards open awareness and kindness. You will discover how to practise mindful self-compassion, learning how to focus your attention to whatever is happening in the present moment without judgment. This skill can help you to manage stress and difficult feelings. You will be guided through research-based practices, including simple meditation techniques, which have been proven to improve overall health and wellbeing. By training your brain to be mindful you will also experience better confidence and self-esteem.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 06/03/2025 -
Thu 24/04/2025
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017185
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £168.00

Personal Development: From ''Skint'' to Savvy: Improving Your Relationship with Money

Transform your financial habits with "From Skint to Savvy: Improving Your Relationship with Money." This course helps you understand money management basics, develop budgeting skills, and make smarter financial decisions. 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 11/03/2025 -
Tue 06/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018121
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Personal Development: Healthy Family Food on a Budget

Cooking homemade food doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Learn how to feed the whole family with tasty and affordable meals in this cooking on a budget course. This is a cooking and personal finance course rolled into one. You’ll get practical budgeting tips you can apply in the kitchen. This course is ideal for you if you’d like to learn how to cook homemade meals on a reduced budget. Learn how to select nutritious ingredients to prepare wholesome meals without breaking the bank. Brainstorm recipe ideas with the class to make use of leftovers. Get tips on how to store food properly to avoid wastage. Learn how to save money when doing food shopping and other budgeting tips.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 13/03/2025 -
Thu 08/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018120
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Ways to Wellbeing - Floral Oils

Join me in a course open to 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. My 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 07/04/2025 -
Mon 30/06/2025
Times:
9:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00017011
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Healthy Living: Bespoke complementary therapy

In its most basic form, holistic therapy addresses the mind, body, and spirit to support health and healing. On this course we will cover a range of complementary therapies that help us naturally and alongside prescribed medication. Complementary therapy involves looking at our health and wellbeing from a truly rounded approach by bringing all elements of our mind body and spirit into the session. The more we understand about our body the better we are equipped to live happier and healthier lives. We will cover aromatherapy, reflexology, yoga poses, crystals and emotional freedom technique to specifically treat your problems. This course is for you, written by you. Each week your tutor will cover reflex points, tapping, aromatherapy blends and yoga poses designed to help each person who attends the course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 07/04/2025 -
Mon 19/05/2025
Times:
9:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00020809
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00