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

Managing Stress

Do you find it difficult to wind down? When we’re stressed it’s hard to feel calm and relaxed. But you don’t have to live with constant stress. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress awareness course is helpful for anyone who wants to learn to alleviate stress. In this course we will learn how to identify stress risk factors, recognise the symptoms of stress, and apply techniques to reduce it. Depending on your needs, there are various study options after this course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00016703
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Saving Money and Being Sustainable: The Healthy Family Food Workshop

Cooking homemade food doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Learn how to feed the whole family with tasty and affordable meals in this cooking on a budget course. This is a cooking and personal finance course rolled into one. You’ll get practical budgeting tips you can apply in the kitchen. This course is ideal for you if you’d like to learn how to cook homemade meals on a reduced budget. Learn how to select nutritious ingredients to prepare wholesome meals without breaking the bank. Brainstorm recipe ideas with the class to make use of leftovers. Get tips on how to store food properly to avoid wastage. Learn how to save money when doing food shopping and other budgeting tips.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 04/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018155
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Help Your Child with English and Mathsv

Support your child's learning at home with this practical course. Gain tips and strategies for helping your child succeed in English and Maths. Ideal for parents looking to engage with their child's education.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Thu 30/01/2025
Times:
9:55am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00015753
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Multiply - Maths for Work

This Maths course is funded for learners who are already employed or who are on a vocational programme working towards employment in a specific sector. This course is for West Midlands Combined Authority residents. This Multiply Maths for Work course, is designed to help you build confidence in everyday math skills. You'll learn how to solve practical problems using basic math, like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. We'll cover topics such as working with percentages, fractions, and measurements, all with real-life examples. The course is perfect for those who want to improve their math for work, study, or daily tasks. By the end, you'll feel more prepared to tackle math in real-world situations. This course is suitable for beginners and anyone needing a refresher.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 28/01/2025
Times:
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019074
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Building Emotional Resilience

Do you often feel overwhelmed? Would you like to have more control over your emotions? This course can teach you how to build emotional resilience through effective emotional awareness and confidence-building exercises. It’s easy to feel like everything is getting on top of us during these uncertain times. This Mental Resilience training can help you identify small steps to maintain calm during challenging situations. Avoid feeling like everything is unravelling and learn to deal with challenges when they come. This Mental Resilience training will help you identify aspects of your life or situations that are difficult emotionally. Work together with the group to develop strategies to deal with these emotions without falling apart. Explore various confidence-building exercises to help you handle your emotions. Learn how to build emotional resilience. You may do activities such as presenting to the class or surveying friends and family members. Emotional Resilience courses help you excel in personal and professional situations. By the end of this emotional awareness course you will have tools and strategies to feel stronger in the face of challenging situations. Depending on your needs, there are various study options after this course. You may consider a course in Assertiveness or Confidence Building. Please bear in mind that you’ll need to have access to the internet to take this confidence course online. Communicate with your tutor and access learning materials through Canvas, the WEA’s digital learning portal. We’re committed to helping you access and enjoy adult education. If there’s something we can do to help you, we will. Your learning is our priority. The WEA is an adult education provider and we pride ourselves on our ability to create a friendly classroom atmosphere, in person and online. Most of our courses are free for most of our learners. Please note that you need to get t

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
1:15pm - 3:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St. Margaret's Centre (Durham)
The Old School
Margery Lane
Durham
DH1 4QJ
Tutor:
Margaret Mordue
Course code:
Q00020024
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Get Ready for Maths Multiply

Prepare for maths exams with our Get Ready for Maths Multiply course. Learn essential maths skills and techniques for effective exam preparation. Ideal for students looking to improve their maths proficiency and exam performance.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Persis Thomas
Course code:
Q00017804
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Confidence Building for Creatives

Build your confidence as a creative professional with our Confidence Building for Creatives course. Ideal for artists, writers, and other creatives looking to overcome self-doubt and take the next step in their creative journey. This course is funded by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 12/03/2025
Times:
4:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
School of Create (Vauxhall)
MACTAC Building
Vauxhall Millennium Centre
Blenheim Street
Liverpool
North West
L5 8UX
Tutor:
Amanda Meaghan
Course code:
Q00019910
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Healthy Living: Yoga Nidra with Seated Yoga

Yoga Nidra translates to Yogic Sleep. It’s a deeply restful Yoga practice, and a very effective way to rest and restore at the end of the day. If you want to manage stress and anxiety and reduce fatigue, we’ve got you covered! Yoga Nidra with Georgia offers you the tools, time and space you need to manage stress and open yourself up to a place of stillness, calm and deep relaxation. Yoga Nidra helps you to easily drift into a clam and meditative state from a place of comfort and ease.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
4:30pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00020252
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £61.05

Cooking Practical: Intermediate

The Cooking Practical: Intermediate enhances culinary skills through advanced techniques, global cuisines, and professional plating. Participants refine methods like braising, baking, and sauce-making while creating signature dishes and multi-course meals.The course fosters creativity, efficiency, and teamwork, preparing students to craft sophisticated, flavorful dishes with confidence.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 09/04/2025
Times:
10:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Wesley Hall Community Centre (Leicester)
76 Hartington Road
Leicester
LE2 0GN
Tutor:
Jamila Mohammed Khanbhai
Course code:
Q00020798
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £46.20

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:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 06/03/2025
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:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.20