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

Multiply: Managing Money

Empower yourself with practical skills to manage your money, make savvy shopping decisions, and master the art of budgeting with our Money Management Essentials course. Explore everyday scenarios like comparing prices, optimizing transportation costs, and meal planning, gaining insights to navigate personal finance confidently. With interactive lessons, practical exercises, and flexible learning, this short course is tailored for beginners and those seeking to refine their financial literacy. Join us on the path to financial empowerment and take control of your financial future today!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Wed 25/09/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Taona Makunde
Course code:
Q00015463
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Public Speaking

This eight week course is a public speaking course, where you will learn about the fundamentals of public speaking and be recording speaking about a subject that you are passionate about to a peer. Then listening to it and deciding how you could improve your public speaking. You will be guided by our expert tutor who will offer advice and techniques; all of which are designed to improve your delivery when addressing more than one person. All steps towards public speaking will be applauded and celebrated as you learn with others on a course designed to help you present yourself with an air confidence, panache and professionalism.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/06/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Kettering Community Unit
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Karren Bennett
Course code:
Q00013358
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
1 place remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Makaton

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 19/06/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00014360
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

Healthy Living: Healthy new me

Stress, diet, exercise and how we feel about ourselves all have an impact on our health and well-being. But finding a way to a healthy new me can seem daunting and difficult and often it feels impossible to know where to start. In this four-week face to face course, we’ll look at some of the areas where we can make small, achievable and realistic changes to get us started on the journey. Expect a supportive, open class environment and some gentle challenges to help you move towards your goals. A happier, healthier new you could be just around the corner!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
St Olave's Church Hall (York)
Marygate Lane
York
YO30 7BJ
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00014849
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:
WEA Membership

Personal Development: Intermediate : Me, Myself and I

This course will further expand on elements and themes developed in the beginners: Me, Myself and I course. It will focus on looking at the individual and the holistic components of their life, including their history and how everything combines to make them who they are. Students will get an opportunity to further develop their person-centred plans and use them to look for opportunities to advance their lives in accordance with their plans. They will look at people in their lives who can help them achieve what they want to achieve and how they can be a part of other people's lives and help others.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Aspire
2A Global House
Crofton Close
Lincoln
Midlands
LN3 4NT
Tutor:
Patrick O'Reilly
Course code:
Q00014918
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Multiply-Baking on a Budget

Baking on a Budget” is an 11-hour course meticulously created to equip participants with essential baking skills while maximising affordability. Participants will master the art of creating delightful baked goods using cost-effective ingredients and simple techniques. The curriculum covers fundamental baking principles, including ingredient substitutions, portion management, and efficient kitchen organisation, ensuring optimal resource utilisation. Through hands-on demonstrations and practical exercises, students will learn to prepare a variety of treats, such as cookies, cupcakes, and brownies, perfect for school fair stalls. By course end, participants will possess the expertise and confidence to bake for school events and friends without exceeding budget constraints.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/06/2024 -
Wed 03/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Bevois Town Primary School (Southampton)
Cedar Road
Southampton
SO14 6RU
Tutor:
Debbie Woodward
Course code:
Q00015376
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Preparing for the Driving Theory Test (part 2)

Do you have an overseas driving licence? Are you preparing to take the driving theory test? Or interested in starting to learn to drive in the UK? This is the 2nd part of a two-part course and if you have enrolled onto part 1 then its recommended you enrol onto part 2. This course is for you if you have some experience of driving in the UK or abroad. You are equally welcome to join if you want to learn more about preparing to drive in the UK if you have limited driving experience. Our course is friendly and a safe environment to ask questions. You will help each other to practice through informal activities and discussions, helping you to develop your understanding.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 06/06/2024 -
Thu 04/07/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sally Kawamura
Course code:
Q00014209
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Communicating Confidently

Would you like to feel more confident in conversations, meetings, or speaking in public? If you struggle to find your voice or get your point across, this communication skills course can help you feel more comfortable in conversation. Improving your communication skills can go a long way towards boosting your confidence in these situations. Learn effective tools and techniques to improve your communication skills. Whether you want to feel more comfortable meeting new people, holding union meetings or participating in community discussions, these confidence-building exercises can help you.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 07/06/2024 -
Fri 12/07/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michelle Lee
Course code:
Q00015180
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Saving Money & Being Sustainable

Nowadays there are many ways to be green and consume responsibly. From reducing buying habits to repurposing and recycling things we no longer need, it’s never been easier to adopt sustainable habits. And the good news is that sustainable practices help you save money, too. This sustainable finance course introduces you to money-saving tactics that align with green agendas. Being sustainable is about recycling, reducing, reusing, and generally consuming less. This course is ideal for you if you want to learn nifty ways to save money whilst helping the environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/06/2024 -
Mon 15/07/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Ruth Odurand
Course code:
Q00013992
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Ways to Wellbeing

Discover the path to a happier and more balanced life with Ways to Well-being. This WEA course (held at Blandford Library) offers a comprehensive exploration of mindfulness and provides you with techniques that can transform your daily routine. By attending, you will reap numerous benefits such as improved mental clarity, enhanced emotional intelligence, and a greater sense of inner peace. Our expert instructors will guide you every step of the way, ensuring an immersive and engaging learning experience. Take control of your well-being today and enroll in Ways to Well-being! Don't miss out on the incredible advantages that attending this educational journey brings.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/06/2024 -
Thu 13/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Blandford Forum Library
1, The Tabernacle
Blandford Forum
DT11 7DW
Tutor:
Dulcie Allan
Course code:
Q00014334
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60