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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Cooking Practical: Cooking for Summer

The purpose of this course is to promote your confidence and independence through cooking. This course is about learning what is meant by seasonal summer foods and dishes. The course will explore a range of savoury and sweet foods and dishes associated with the summer months. You will look at why these foods and dishes are seen as summer foods. For example, you will look at vegetables and fruit grown and harvested in the summer and why the fruit and vegetables work so well to be eaten at this time of year. There will be weekly opportunities to prepare summer dishes.
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Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Sacred Heart Church Hall
8 Townsend Road
Minehead
TA24 5RG
Tutor:
Rebecca Williams
Course code:
Q00017180
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £218.40

Everyday life skills

Develop essential life skills with our Personal Development: Everyday Life Skills course. Learn practical skills for managing daily tasks, improving communication, and building self-confidence. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their independence and quality of life.
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Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Guild House (Plymouth)
Guild House
156 Mannamead Road
Plymouth
PL3 5QL
Tutor:
Peter Childs
Course code:
Q00016151
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Healthy Living: Introduction to Holistic Therapies

This is a beginners course to learn some practical skills in hand and skin care, beauty techniques - basic make up application , providing a basic manicure or pedicure treatment, learn how to follow health and safety and working with others effectively in the beauty sector. The purpose of this course is to provide learners with a sound basic knowledge and understanding of the practical skills outlined & to enable them to Develop their skills through being introduced to the beauty Industry and learn about how you should present a professional image in the salon. It will provide learners with a foundation for further learning.
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Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rachel Ward
Course code:
Q00014986
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £103.60

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to improve mental focus and productivity

Enhance your focus and productivity with our Meditation and Mindfulness for Mental Focus course. This class focuses on techniques to sharpen concentration, enhance mental clarity, and boost productivity. Through guided meditations and mindfulness practices, you will learn to maintain focus, manage distractions, and optimize your cognitive performance. Suitable for all levels, this course empowers you to cultivate a more focused and efficient mindset.
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Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018255
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

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Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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:
9 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

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

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