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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Fitness and Exercise: Seated Aerobics

Get Moving and Feel Empowered! It is said that sitting for long, uninterrupted periods of time may leave you more prone to cardiovascular problems. So come along to this Seated Aerobics course to get those limbs moving, and those hearts pumping!
Dates:
Tue 25/03/2025 -
Tue 13/05/2025
Location:
Gladys Court Bournemouth
70/72 Wellington Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8JG
Course code:
Q00016945
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Healthy Living: Lip Reading

Hearing impairments bring a variety of challenges, both to those who lose their hearing and their loved ones. Luckily, there are communication techniques you can learn to be able to maintain healthy interactions. Learn to communicate effectively despite hearing impairments with this beginners’ lip reading course. This course is appropriate for you if you have hearing impairments or if you’d like to communicate with a friend or family member with hearing loss. Lip reading for beginners gives you an introduction to some essential lip shapes. Explore deaf awareness issues to understand how hearing loss affects communication. Learn about speech patterns and cues to facilitate interactions. If you have hearing loss, learning skills and strategies to take advantage of residual hearing can also help you get the most out of social interactions. Please note this course is delivered online via ZOOM.
Dates:
Tue 25/03/2025 -
Tue 10/06/2025
Times:
9:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Debra Blinston
Course code:
Q00021574
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Healthy Living: Lip Reading

Hearing impairments bring a variety of challenges, both to those who lose their hearing and their loved ones. Luckily, there are communication techniques you can learn to be able to maintain healthy interactions. Learn to communicate effectively despite hearing impairments with this beginners’ lip reading course. This course is appropriate for you if you have hearing impairments or if you’d like to communicate with a friend or family member with hearing loss. Lip reading for beginners gives you an introduction to some essential lip shapes. Explore deaf awareness issues to understand how hearing loss affects communication. Learn about speech patterns and cues to facilitate interactions.
Dates:
Wed 26/03/2025 -
Wed 11/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Congleton Library Meeting Room (Congleto
Congleton Library
Market Square
Congleton
CW12 1ET
Tutor:
Debra Blinston
Course code:
Q00021798
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Craft: Creative Life skills

This course is designed to help individuals develop essential life skills through creative activities. Participants will explore self-expression, problem-solving, communication, and confidence-building using a range of creative methods, including art, writing, and hands-on crafts. The course encourages personal growth and resilience while fostering a sense of well-being and self-discovery.
Dates:
Wed 26/03/2025 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Times:
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
The Cornforth Partnership (Ferryhill)
68-70 High Street
West Cornforth
Ferryhill
North East
DL17 9HS
Tutor:
Jayne Clark
Course code:
Q00021806
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Cooking Practical: Preparing for Level 2 Food Hygiene

Welcome to the Preparing for Level 2 Food Hygiene Course! This course will cover essential topics to prepare you for Level 2 certification. You will learn about food safety practices, hygiene regulations, and how to prevent contamination. Our tutor will guide you through proper food handling, storage, and cleaning techniques. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of food safety principles and be ready to take your knowledge to the next level. Join us to ensure safe and hygienic food practices in any setting!
Dates:
Thu 27/03/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00017064
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Craft: Mindful Crafts to help with Meditation & well-Being

This course is designed to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional well-being through creative craft activities. Participants will explore a variety of hands-on crafts such as painting, collage, textile work, and journaling, all aimed at reducing stress and enhancing self-expression. Whether you're looking for a therapeutic outlet or a way to boost creativity, this course provides a supportive and calming space to explore different crafting techniques while focusing on mental and emotional wellness.
Dates:
Fri 28/03/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Trimdon Village Hall (Trimdon Station)
Hallgarth Road
Trimdon
Trimdon Station
TS29 6JX
Tutor:
Jayne Clark
Course code:
Q00021823
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Cooking on a Budget: Air fryer Cooking

Unlock the potential of your air fryer in this practical and delicious cooking course. Designed for beginners and home cooks, this class will guide you through the basics of air fryer usage, cleaning, and care while introducing you to a variety of recipes that highlight the versatility of this kitchen appliance. From crispy snacks to wholesome meals and even desserts, you’ll learn how to create healthier versions of your favourite dishes with minimal oil and maximum flavour.
Dates:
Wed 02/04/2025 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Trimdon Village Hall (Trimdon Station)
Hallgarth Road
Trimdon
Trimdon Station
TS29 6JX
Tutor:
Jayne Clark
Course code:
Q00021496
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Care 2 Seated yoga

This course is for Carers, Former Carers, and the Cared for. Take some time for yourself, 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 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.
Dates:
Thu 03/04/2025 -
Thu 03/04/2025
Times:
9:00am - 10:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00021790
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Photography - Capturing moments and Telling Stories

This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of photography. Learners will explore camera settings, composition techniques, lighting, and how to take compelling photos, that tell a story. Whether using a DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone camera, this course will help learners build confidence in capturing and editing high-quality images for personal or creative projects and engaging with other like minded learners in the community.
Dates:
Fri 04/04/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Location:
Donnison School (Sunderland)
The Donnison School Buildings
Church Walk
Sunderland
SR1 2BJ
Course code:
Q00021863
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Ways to Wellbeing - Floral Oils

Join me in a course open to absolute beginners right through to those who have a little experience in the fascinating subject of floral aromatherapy. This course will inform you of a wide range of floral oils, where they grow, what they are good for and a little history of each oil. Comprehensive notes will be provided on Canvas for you to download and refer to. This course encourages individuals to share and discuss your aromatherapy journey. My aim is for you to incorporate oils into your everyday life. You may have your own oils that you can bring to the session, you may want to purchase the range of oils prior to the course but this is not mandatory.
Dates:
Mon 07/04/2025 -
Mon 30/06/2025
Times:
9:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00017011
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00