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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ParentingConfidence skillsBudgeting and number skillsHealth & wellbeing Cookery & bakingSelf developmentCommunication skills
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Fitness and Exercise: Seated Yoga with meditation embedding the Yamas

Join me for a seated yoga session, designed to stretch every muscle in the body. We will includce a yoga strap and bring some tin cans to add a weight bearing aspect to your session. During the meditation section of this class your tutor will focus on each of the Yamas. 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 seated yoga. 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', we will include some self massage and reflexology) • Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding, we will include some focus around space clearing your homes linked with Feng Shui)
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Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
11:00am - 1:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00016954
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

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.
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Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 23/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021691
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Personal Development: Food allergens

During this 8 week introduction to food allergens course, we will covering what a food allergy and a food intolerance is, what the difference is between a food allergy and a food intolerance and why it is important you know the difference, why these food allergies and intolerances are on the increase. We will also look at what the 14 recognised food allergies are and why there are only 14 at the present time. And finally, we will look at how the law is helping making the food industry more accountable to label and keep foods safe for all consumers.
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Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 21/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016755
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Fitness and Exercise: Feel good Dance Fitness

Give your mind and body a boost with this fun and friendly dance workout. You will join in dance routines to a wide variety of music, tone your body, improve strength and coordination and release endorphins to improve your mood and set you up for the day ahead.
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Dates:
Wed 23/04/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 10:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Suzanne Swain
Course code:
Q00020073
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

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Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Communicating with Confidence

This micro course is designed to help community learners improve their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves effectively. Communication is an essential skill for building relationships, participating in group discussions, and sharing ideas, whether in personal, professional, or community settings. This course introduces practical tools and strategies to help learners communicate clearly, confidently, and assertively. Learners will explore techniques to manage nerves and maintain confidence in different situations, such as one-on-one conversations, public speaking, or group discussions. Through short, practical exercises learners will have the opportunity to identify these skills in a supportive and inclusive environment. By the end of the course, learners will feel more confident in their ability to express themselves, actively engage in conversations, and communicate assertively while respecting others. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to overcome barriers to effective communication, build stronger connections, and develop a confident presence in various settings. Learners will leave with tools and tips they can immediately apply to their everyday interactions
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Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 24/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Millan Centre (Bradford)
Victor Street
Bradford
BD9 4RA
Tutor:
Bushra Siddique
Course code:
Q00021724
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£12.60

Personal Development: DIY Skills in the Outdoors

Gain practical outdoor skills with our Personal Development: DIY Skills in the Outdoors course. Learn how to build, repair, and create in an outdoor setting, using tools and materials available in nature. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their self-sufficiency and enjoy the outdoors.
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Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
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:
Q00017818
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £73.50

Fitness and Exercise: Walk, Cycle and Move

Get active and improve your fitness with our Fitness and Exercise: Walk, Cycle and Move course. Learn how to incorporate walking, cycling, and other forms of movement into your daily routine for better health and well-being. Ideal for individuals looking to stay active and improve their overall fitness.
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Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
1:15pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Rector's Way Allotments (Weston-super-Ma
Rectors Way
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 3NP
Tutor:
Matt Doolan
Course code:
Q00017812
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £47.25

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga to support stress management

Discover how yoga can help you manage stress with our Yoga to Support Stress Management course. This class focuses on yoga practices designed to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Through a combination of gentle postures, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques, you will learn methods to calm the mind and relieve tension in the body. 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 managing stress, enhancing your overall well-being through the practice of yoga.
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Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:45am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Kagyu Samye Dzong Scarborough
Londesborough Lodge
The Crescent
Scarborough
YO11 2PW
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018234
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Healthy Living: Mindful Relaxation to support stress management

Do you want to better manage stress and enhance your overall well-being? This course focuses on mindful relaxation practices to support stress management. Stress can cause physical and mental tension, but through mindful relaxation, you can learn to ease this tension and find calm. We will focus on body awareness, breathwork, and mindful movements to reduce stress. Each session will conclude with a guided relaxation practice designed to support stress relief. Everyone can benefit from these practices to manage stress more effectively and improve quality of life.
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Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018258
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

Fitness and Exercise: Yoga to support stress management

Discover how yoga can help you manage stress with our Yoga to Support Stress Management course. This class focuses on yoga practices designed to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Through a combination of gentle postures, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques, you will learn methods to calm the mind and relieve tension in the body. 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 managing stress, enhancing your overall well-being through the practice of yoga.
View details
Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:00am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018235
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30