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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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 10/10/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Scarborough Court (Leicester)
Scarborough Court, 2A Chesterf
Scarborough Court, 2A Chesterf
Leicester
LE5 5LE
Tutor:
Mariam Sidat
Course code:
Q00017188
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Healthy Living; Lipreading and managing hearing loss

The act of looking is so closely bound up with the act of writing. Novels depend upon those moments when an author presses the pause button and allows their characters to just stop and look at something. This course will explore how photos, especially, can be used as a vital stimulus for creative writing. Over two days, you will explore the work of some of the world’s finest photographers, from Andre Kertesz to Garry Winogrand, all projected upon the screen. You will then be encouraged to look even closer and see where these images take your own writing. The course will also consider how established writers have engaged with the art of photography, from John Berger to Susan Sontag, Tony Harrison and Geoff Dyer. Most importantly, you will encourage you to find a way of using your own photos as a way of unlocking your own hidden powers of writing and observation. Come along and join our friendly lipreading group at The Centre in Newlyn. This class is suitable for all levels of lipreaders and is ideal for those recently experiencing hearing loss. Our experienced tutor will guide you through the basics of lipreading and show you how to practice your lipreading skills in everyday life. Research has shown that attending a lipreading class can give you greater: • Confidence to communicate with others • Control over your hearing loss, as you develop new communication skills • Independence, as you’re less reliant on others to help you follow conversation (Source RNID.org.uk) You will learn in a supportive environment alongside other learners who will be able to share their experiences of hearing loss and learn how to overcome them together

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/10/2024 -
Thu 21/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
The Centre, Newlyn (Penzance)
Chywoone Hill
Newlyn
Penzance
TR18 5AR
Tutor:
Janet Corbett Marston
Course code:
Q00016904
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Healthy Living: The Secret Power of Yoga: Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras

Discover the wonderful practice of yoga with this introduction to yoga philosophy course according to Patanjali’s five foundational philosophical concepts (YAMAS) in the traditional text, THE YOGA SUTRAS. Whether you are seasoned yogi or just initiating an interest, you will love this course. This is a friendly course providing a nourishing blend between physical practice and theory. The aim is to help you discover how the practice of yoga can deepen your spiritual practice and bring more awareness to your life, while developing the self-confidence to express yourself. It is ideal for those who want to keep physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually fit.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/10/2024 -
Thu 19/12/2024
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St Johns Church
26 Bridgetown
Totnes
TQ9 5BU
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00017057
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Beginners British Sign Language (BSL)

If you have contact with deaf people in your day-to-day life, you may want to take a British Sign Language course. Knowing how to sign can make your communication more inclusive for everyone you interact with. This BSL course is suitable for you if you need to communicate with deaf people in a voluntary or community role, or simply through social interactions. This course is aimed at complete beginners. You will start from scratch to learn foundational BSL skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/10/2024 -
Thu 09/01/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Bensham Grove (Gateshead)
Sidney Grove
Gateshead
NE8 2XD
Tutor:
Joanne Liddle
Course code:
Q00019606
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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

Personal Development: Moving on and Creating a Plan

Moving into a new home is a busy time and for some it can be the first time they have lived independently. How to maintain our own health and personal hygiene during this busy time can be a challenge, the outcome of this course is to give you an understanding of the tasks that need to be completed to maintain ourselves whilst we are also busy maintaining our homes and busy lives. On completion of this course learners will be able to Understand the importance of personal hygiene. Understand the importance of caring for clothes and other laundry. Understand the importance of a balanced diet to a healthy lifestyle. Understand the importance of exercise to a healthy lifestyle.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 11/10/2024 -
Fri 11/10/2024
Times:
11:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Petroc's Parish Centre (Bodmin)
Church Square
Bodmin
PL31 2DP
Tutor:
Julian Roberts
Course code:
Q00017489
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:
Mon 14/10/2024 -
Mon 18/11/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00012203
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Introduction to ADHD

Would you like to find out more about ADHD? This course will help you learn about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. You will discover other conditions that are commonly experienced alongside ADHD. A big focus of the course is on how to support a child, young person or an adult with ADHD. You will gain an understanding of a range of different strategies and interventions which may be beneficial in a home, school or even work setting. You’ll also find out how assessments are carried out and how to apply for an EHCP to give a child that all important extra support in school.  

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 14/10/2024 -
Mon 28/10/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00011461
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Fitness and Exercise: Seated Yoga

Did you know yoga can help you get stronger and more flexible, no matter your age or abilities? There are yoga courses for all levels and needs. Even if you can’t take part in a standing class, this beginner’s yoga course can help you gain mobility without taking a toll on your joints. Seated yoga is perfect for you if you’d have difficulty following a regular yoga lesson. Whether you have mobility issues or chronic fatigue, this yoga course can help you reduce stiffness in your joints and learn to relax. Enjoy the practice of yoga from a chair. This course is perfect for you if you want to do exercise appropriate for reduced mobility. The first thing you’ll learn is that yoga is about so much more than bending into complicated poses. Understand basic breathing and meditation techniques as you take the first steps into self-care

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 15/10/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Gladys Court Bournemouth
70/72 Wellington Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8JG
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00016950
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Confidence to Learn

Confidence to Learn Are you currently studying? On this Confidence to Learn course, you will develop study skills that will help direct you to a more focused way of studying. If you have not studied for a long time, or worried about how to start an assignment, or manage your time, this is the course for you. You will have the opportunity to personalise your approach to study and learning. Over the course you will find out what works best for you. General study skills are not for a specific subject, they are skills that cover all subject areas. The study skills you will develop at this level will help as you go through each topic on the course. To develop your study skills, you will practise a variety of tasks such as time management, active listening skills, note taking and many more. This will help you become more confident in the way you study. Study skills are not just for this course, they can be used in a variety of ways, for example solving problems in everyday life and managing your time successfully and learning to remain focused on a task. This course will run alongside the main course you are studying and provide you with the tools to successfully complete your studies with confidence. The main topics that will be covered in this course will be: • Time management– create a study timetable to help manage your course material more effectively and how best to break up your study time. • Note Taking – learn proved methods of creating notes from your sessions that are clear and precise, which will help you remember and understand what is necessary for a better understanding of your course. • Mind Maps – show you how to create a visual map of ideas and put together the information learned on your course. • Teach others – you will get the opportunity to explain what you have learned to others and discover areas that need improving. • Goal setting – you will learn how to create your own study goals after each session to help you stay o

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 16/10/2024 -
Wed 26/02/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Daubeney Children's Centre/ Primary Scho
103 Daubeney Road
Hackney
London
E5 0EG
Tutor:
Allison McClean
Course code:
Q00017619
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

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

As a parent or carer, you want the best for your children and you want to help them get the most out of their time at school. Join other parents like you, to discover more about what is taught in UK schools. During this course, you will learn how to support your child’s education in the UK. You will learn what you can do at home to help improve your child’s skills in maths and English. Find out more about how you can join the school community and meet other parents. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 17/10/2024 -
Thu 21/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Wilcock
Course code:
Q00009454
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40