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: Seated Aerobics

Get Moving and Feel Empowered! It is said that sitting for long, uninterrupted periods of time may leave you more prone to cardiovascular problems. So come along to this Seated Aerobics course to get those limbs moving, and those hearts pumping! In this 6-week seated aerobics course, you'll experience the benefits of exercise in a comfortable and supportive environment. This low-impact, chair-based program is specifically designed for individuals who may have mobility limitations or prefer a seated workout. Our expert instructor will guide you through a series of exercises that will get your heart rate up, improve your flexibility, balance, and strength, all while seated in a chair.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Ralph Jessop Court
Wyvern Close,
Parkstone
Dorset
BH12 4HE
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00016948
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Professional Development: Assertiveness and Imposter Syndrome

Do you sometimes feel frustrated that you are not communicating to others effectively and your views are not taken into account? Why is acting assertively so difficult, and what are the barriers for us? We will be looking at what we mean by assertive behaviour and how we can recognise and celebrate this. Investigating our own personal barriers to assertive behaviour will allow us to start to identify personal barriers, and considering ‘imposter syndrome’ allow us to start to counter any feelings of this type that we experience. How can we put our point of view making clear our own views while still respecting the views and needs of others. If you would like to find out more this course is for you.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 08/01/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00012171
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Cooking for Wellbeing

Explore how cooking can improve your mental and physical health with this course. Learn nutritious recipes, meal planning, prepping techniques, and smart shopping tips. Discover how to make healthy, budget-friendly choices that enhance your wellbeing. Understand the connection between food and mood, and enjoy making healthy choices in a supportive environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 26/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Mount Pleasant School (Southampton)
Mount Pleasant Road
Newtown
Southampton
SO14 0WZ
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00016927
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.20

Personal Development: Understanding Common Mental Health Conditions

This 6-week course equips you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the world of mental health. You'll explore the mental health continuum, identify common conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, and OCD, and learn how to support yourself and others.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016664
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

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: Intermediate "What Makes You You?"

This transformative 6-week course will help you understand yourself better and unlock your full potential. You'll explore self-esteem, learning how to boost your confidence and inner strength. By reflecting on your life experiences, you'll discover valuable lessons and growth opportunities to shape a brighter future. Additionally, you'll explore different personality traits to understand your strengths and weaknesses, embrace your individuality, and become more adaptable.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016665
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Digital skills for Parents

Explore essential skills for managing your family’s digital safety, personal finances, and family wellbeing. This course empowers participants to protect their families online, manage finances digitally, and leverage technology for overall family wellness. The internet is vast and fast moving and often our children are more tech savy, this course will cover how you can manage what your children can access in order to increase their safety. The course will also cover a range of digital tools that can help you keep track of your personal budget at the click of a button as well as exploring what applications and sites can have a positive influence on family wellbeing.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 03/04/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
P00000096
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Lipreading and Managing Hearing Loss

Come along and join our friendly lipreading group in Hayle. This class is suitable for all levels of lipreaders and is ideal for those recently experiencing hearing loss. Our experienced tutor will guide you through the basics of lipreading and show you how to practice your lipreading skills in everyday life. Research has shown that attending a lipreading class can give you greater: • Confidence to communicate with others • Control over your hearing loss, as you develop new communication skills • Independence, as you’re less reliant on others to help you follow conversation (Source RNID.org.uk) You will learn in a supportive environment alongside other learners who will be able to share their experiences of hearing loss and learn how to overcome them together

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Hayle Community Centre
58 Queensway
Hayle
TR27 4NX
Tutor:
Janet Corbett Marston
Course code:
Q00017043
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Ways to Wellbeing: 5 Ways to Wellbeing

On this course you will learn about the 5 ways to wellbeing and how we can embed them in our daily lives.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 27/02/2025
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:
Q00009860
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £117.60

Healthy Lifestyle: 5 Ways to Wellbeing

This course will enable you to consider your mental health and ways to stabilise and self-regulate your wellbeing. You will learn about different strategies that can help you re-balance and boost your self-esteem through positive action. The 5 ways to wellbeing is a national programme, which suggests there are five key things you can do each day to improve your overall mental and physical health. These include being more active, practising mindfulness, learning new things, and giving back to others. This course encourages connection with others and how to talk and reflect on ways to have a happier and healthier life!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 27/02/2025
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017182
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £147.00

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga to improve joint mobility and strength

Enhance your well-being with our Yoga to Improve Joint Mobility and Strength course. This class focuses on yoga practices specifically designed to increase joint flexibility and build muscle strength. Through a blend of mindful movements, stretching, and strength-building postures, you will learn techniques to support and protect your joints. 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 greater joint mobility and strength, ultimately improving your overall physical health and quality of life.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:45am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
St James Church and Community Arts Cntr
24 Seamer Road
Scarborough
YO12 4DT
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018229
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80