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: Simple Remedies to combat Stress and Anxiety

This course aims to provide participants with effective, practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. By applying hands-on techniques, participants will learn to identify their triggers and apply simple remedies to enhance their well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/03/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00020088
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Fitness and Exercise: Dance for wellbeing - a great way to start your day!

A fun and friendly dance workout to lift your spirits and set you up for the day.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 10:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Suzanne Swain
Course code:
Q00020154
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to support a positive mindset

Enhance your mindset with our Meditation and Mindfulness to Support a Positive Mindset course. This course focuses on practices that cultivate positivity, resilience, and inner peace. Through guided meditations and mindfulness techniques, you will learn to anchor yourself in the present moment, manage negative thoughts, and foster a more optimistic outlook on life. Suitable for all levels, this course encourages self-awareness and personal growth in a supportive environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018250
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £33.30

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

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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

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

Healthy Living; Lipreading and managing hearing loss

Learn the basics of outdoor cooking with our Healthy Living: Cooking Using a Fire course. Discover techniques for preparing and cooking meals over an open flame. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning new cooking skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Rector's Way Allotments (Weston-super-Ma
Rectors Way
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 3NP
Tutor:
Matt Doolan
Course code:
Q00017039
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £73.50

Fitness and Exercise: The Secret Power of Yoga

Discover the benefits of yoga with our Fitness and Exercise: The Secret Power of Yoga course. Learn yoga poses and techniques to improve physical and mental well-being. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their fitness and reduce stress.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Shekinah Endeavour House (Torquay)
Endeavour House, 228 Union Str
Torquay
TQ2 5QS
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00017811
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Fitness and Exercise: Beginners' Yoga-Introduction to Yoga-Yamas from Yoga Sutras

So, what are the Yoga Yamas? At the beginning of Patanjali’s eight-fold path of yoga lays the Yamas: the moral, ethical and societal guidelines for those who love yoga. These guidelines are all expressed in the emphatic descriptions of how we understand and relate to the world around us when we are truly immersed in yoga. The Yamas are a way of leading a conscious, honest and ethical life. There are five Yamas in total in Patanjali's Sutras: • Ahimsa (non-harming or non-violence in thought, word and deed) • Satya (truthfulness) • Asteya (non-stealing) • Brahmacharya (the 'right use of energy') • Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding)

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 12/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00016954
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60

Healthy Living: Swedish Body Massage

1. Understand the importance of health and safety when carrying out massage treatments. 2. Preparation of the work area, student, and client. 3. Identify products, tools, and equipment for massage treatments. 4. Discuss contraindications and suitability of clients for the service. 5. Perform massage treatments with confidence and meeting client requirements.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 05/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Face of Beauty Training
Keir Hardie Avenue
Wardley
NE10 8EJ
Tutor:
Lesley McDonald
Course code:
Q00020100
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80