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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Intermediate British Sign Language (BSL)

Knowing how to sign can make your communication more inclusive for everyone you interact with. Build on your skills in British Sign Language to be able to have deeper interactions with deaf people. This BSL course is suitable for you if you need to communicate with deaf people or people with hearing impairments. It can help you in a variety of contexts, for example in a voluntary or community role, or simply through social interactions. This course is aimed at intermediate learners. You will build on your existing BSL skills. If you would like to start from scratch, you can take the beginner’s BSL course.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 27/11/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Bullion Hall (Chester le Street)
South Approach
Bullion Lane
Chester le Street
DH2 2DW
Tutor:
Joanne Liddle
Course code:
Q00018475
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Trade Union Education: Gaslighting – The Workplace

Do you know what ‘gaslighting’ is? Most people have heard of the term, but many do not understand what it really means. This workshop will delve into the issue of gaslighting in the context of the workplace. We will explore what the word actually means (its use and misuse), how to recognise the signs, and what can be done about it.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 18/09/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018669
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Help your Child with Numeracy Multiply

Support your child's numeracy development with our Help Your Child with Numeracy course. Learn effective strategies and techniques to assist your child with maths. Ideal for parents and carers looking to enhance their child's numeracy skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 23/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Ian Swaffer
Course code:
Q00017111
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Cooking Practical: Introduction to Cookery

Begin your culinary journey with our Introduction to Cookery course. Learn fundamental cooking techniques and create delicious, nutritious meals. Ideal for beginners looking to develop their kitchen skills and confidence.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 18/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Keyham Green Places (Plymouth)
163 Renown Street
Plymouth
PL2 2DT
Tutor:
Paul Keller
Course code:
Q00017024
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

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

Cooking Practical: Beginners

Learn the basics of cooking with our Cooking Practical: Beginners course. Develop fundamental kitchen skills and create delicious, nutritious meals. Ideal for individuals new to cooking looking to gain confidence in the kitchen.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Wesley Hall Community Centre (Leicester)
76 Hartington Road
Leicester
LE2 0GN
Tutor:
Jamila Mohammed Khanbhai
Course code:
Q00017240
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Budget Planning & Saving on Bills

Effective budget planning can make you feel like you’ve had a pay rise. Organising your personal budget and understanding your outgoings is the first step towards healthy financial well-being. And the good news is - budgeting is a skill anyone can learn. This budgeting course is right for you if you want to improve your financial well-being. Whether you’re trying to cope with the cost of living crisis or just want to plan your finances better, this course can help you. You do not need advanced maths skills to take this course. It is appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 19/09/2024
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Shama Women's Centre (Leicester)
Shama Womens Centre
39 Sparkenhoe Street
Leicester
LE2 0TD
Tutor:
Tasneem Ali
Course code:
Q00017249
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Confidence to Learn

Would you like to learn new skills or change jobs? It can be hard to get back into learning after a long break. This confidence training will prepare you to feel comfortable stepping back into the classroom. This short course can help you bridge the gaps in your confidence and overcome the obstacles standing in your way to get back into learning. The objective of this course is to get you into a positive mindset to achieve your goals. You will practise a variety of confidence-building exercises to help that mindset shift come from within.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Aspire
2A Global House
Crofton Close
Lincoln
Midlands
LN3 4NT
Tutor:
Patrick O'Reilly
Course code:
Q00017389
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Meditation and Mindfulness

Leading a busy life leaves little room for calm and relaxation. This can make it hard for us to wind down and enjoy the present. But finding these moments of calm is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. This meditation and mindfulness course is ideal if you want to learn to relax, be present, and alleviate stress in your life. Meditation courses teach us to recognise the importance of conscious thought in our everyday lives. Develop concentration strategies to help focus your mind. Understand the principles of mindfulness. Learn to block out intrusive thoughts and enjoy the present moment.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 28/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Cornforth Partnership (Ferryhill)
68-70 High Street
West Cornforth
Ferryhill
DL17 9HS
Tutor:
Margaret Mordue
Course code:
Q00018476
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Basic Bushcraft Skills

Learn essential bushcraft skills and connect with nature through our Basic Bushcraft Skills course. Explore techniques for outdoor survival, shelter building, and fire making. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in self-sufficiency.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 24/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 1:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Rector's Way Allotments (Weston-super-Ma
Rectors Way
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 3NP
Tutor:
Matt Doolan
Course code:
Q00017814
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.20

Personal Development: Driving Theory Test Practice

Prepare for your driving theory test with our comprehensive Driving Theory Test Practice course. Learn the rules of the road, traffic signs, and essential safety information needed to pass the test. Ideal for new drivers seeking to obtain their driving licence.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Location:
Salvation Army, Hinckley (Hinckley)
7 Lancaster Road
Hinckley
LE10 0AW
Course code:
Q00017541
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80