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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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:
Fri 17/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Course code:
Q00017800
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Regaining Confidence and Self-Esteem

Do you ever feel unsure of yourself? Perhaps around new people or at job interviews? If so, this self-esteem course can help you build tools to face these situations with confidence. Low self-esteem can hold you back in all areas of life. Whether you’d like to build confidence to step back into education, meet new people, or change jobs, confidence-building courses can teach you essential tools to change your mindset. Learn how to build self-esteem and overcome obstacles that are holding you back. The first step in your journey is believing you can successfully complete this course! Confidence training teaches you how to ask yourself important questions and understand why your self-esteem is low. This is the first step towards changing your inner speech and boosting confidence. Learn techniques to motivate yourself and be more assertive.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/01/2025 -
Mon 24/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017000
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Help your Child with Numeracy Multiply

Improve your child's numeracy skills with practical tips and strategies in this course. Ideal for parents and carers looking to support their child's learning at home.

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:
Q00017112
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Course code:
Q00010670
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Step into Care

Begin your journey into the care sector with our Step into Care course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality care to clients. Ideal for individuals considering a career in care or looking to enhance their caregiving skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Location:
Norwich Central Baptist Church (Norwich)
Duke Street
Norwich
NR3 3AP
Course code:
Q00018949
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Would you like to learn techniques to relax and wind down? When we’re stressed or anxious it’s hard to feel calm. Anxiety affects over 8 million people in the UK at any time. But you don’t have to live with constant stress or anxiety. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress management course is ideal if you want to learn habits to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you lead a healthier and fuller life

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/02/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017347
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Mens club - cooking on a budget

We will be cooking together in real time, making a variety of dishes, with advice and ideas on how to change the quantities to suit the number of people you are cooking for. We will look at ways of cooking and baking for one or two, or enough for a party. We shall be measuring ingredients and there will be time to find out about all the different ways measurements are written in recipes, so you can cook with confidence. Recipes will be put on Canvas before the course begins, so you can go shopping if you are going to cook along with me. All questions are welcome during the session, novice cooks are welcome along with those who have more experience and we will share ideas. Outcome: Double and halve the quantities in a recipe using metric and imperial measures while cooking a variety of dishes.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Location:
Hesters Way Community Resource Centre
Cassin Drive
Cheltenham
GL51 7SU
Course code:
Q00017032
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Personal Development: Everyday Life Skills - Interpersonal Skills

Have you always wanted to become more skilful when communicating with others? This course will help you to understand what is meant by interpersonal skills and how to be more effective when interacting with other people in a variety of situations. Every individual has a personal style and an interpersonal style. Some people are more successful than others at using interpersonal skills for specific, desired results. This course will offer you the opportunity to practice speaking in different life situations, helping you to gain confidence and be more prepared for the conversations you may find most challenging, including interviews and/or difficult conversations with the people who are close to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 22/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017750
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £189.00

Fitness and Exercise: Seated Yoga

Did you know yoga can help you get stronger and more flexible, no matter your age or abilities? There are yoga courses for all levels and needs. Even if you can’t take part in a standing class, this beginner’s yoga course can help you gain mobility without taking a toll on your joints. Seated yoga is perfect for you if you’d have difficulty following a regular yoga lesson. Whether you have mobility issues or chronic fatigue, this yoga course can help you reduce stiffness in your joints and learn to relax. Enjoy the practice of yoga from a chair. This course is perfect for you if you want to do exercise appropriate for reduced mobility. The first thing you’ll learn is that yoga is about so much more than bending into complicated poses. Understand basic breathing and meditation techniques as you take the first steps into self-care

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Belmont Court
6 Glen Road
Bournemouth
BH14 0HF
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00016951
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80