WEA courses

If you’re interested in learning more about mental health issues, this level 1 course can teach you the foundational concepts. You’ll get a view into the nature of mental health work and the issues that face people struggling with it. Level 1 health and social care courses about mental health can teach you the basic principles of mental health care. If you enjoy this course you can continue your learning in this area. Mental health awareness training can help you understand if this area of work interests you.

If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.

The Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley famously said that ‘Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.’ This course tracks the development of English poetry, from the sonnets of Shakespeare to the contemporary poetry of Jack Underwood, Emily Berry, and Rachael Allen. As well as considering each of the poets in isolation from week to week, we will also use the seven week course to ask ourselves: how has poetry developed through the years, and what has remained the same? As well as considering each of the poets and poems in isolation from week to week, we will also take the opportunity to compare what aspects No previous knowledge of poetry is necessary – everybody is most welcome!

This course will discover five texts ranging across twentieth century European and British literatures. The texts are: Stories from the City of God by Pier Paolo Passolini; Baron Bagge by Alexander Lernet-Holenia; Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Cespedes; The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps by Michel Faber and Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. These texts include essays, novellas and novels are by turn extravagant fantasies and profound social commentaries on the last unlovely century. There will be ample scope for discussion of issues such as class identities, social and political identities and the desire to create stories to explore the nature of the mutable worlds of the twentieth century.

Picasso is one of the 20th-century most well-known artists, a household name. In this course, we will learn about his personal life and his artistic career. As we do so, we will try and deconstruct the myth that exists around him both as a man and artist. Our approach will be chronological, starting in Spain, developing in Paris, and ending in Southern France, from 1881 to 1973. We will also address transversal themes, such as sculpture, Picasso’s family and lovers, the issue of collaboration, myth-making. Beyond developing your knowledge and understanding of Picasso’s art and life, this course will provide many opportunities to deepen your ability to analyse works of art (visual analysis and iconography).

The term will begin with an analysis of Eastern Europe and the Near East at the beginning of the 11th century, exploring the steps towards a climate that would produce the first crusade. In particular, we will examine the condition and policies of the Byzantine Empire and why its position would be so critical in the events which unfolded later, along with the conquests and upheavals of the Seljuk Turks, leading to the critical battle of Manzikert. Thereafter, we will look at how developments in Western Europe would then lead to the circumstances and outcomes of the first crusade.

How did the Roman Empire survive the great challenges it faced during the later 8th century? We will examine how the later reign of Konstantine V and then his heirs not only oversaw an even stricter type of iconoclasm, but also how they brought about other key developments within mediaeval Roman society. We will also explore how the struggle against the Abbasid Caliphate continued to evolve. Finally, we will look at the emergence of Empress Eirene during the later years of the eighth century, and how she maintained her grip on power, despite much internal opposition.

Does the thought of using computers, the internet and other digital technologies leave you feeling out of touch and overwhelmed? Have you thought about gaining some digital skills but didn’t know quite where to turn? If the answer to these questions is a resounding “Yes!” then you will feel right at home on our new Digital Skills for Everyday Living course. Here at the WEA, we have been busy developing this new and exciting course for people with little or no experience of digital technologies who want to acquire the skills to become ‘digitally literate’ in their everyday life and work. Our aim is to empower you to confidently engage with the digital world of laptops, smart phones, email, news, word processing, social media, entertainment, shopping and more.

All our Care2 courses are completely free for unpaid carers (or those who have previously been carers). You do not need to receive a carer's allowance to qualify. If you are unsure, please contact our call centre advisors who will be able to assist you. If you suffer from stress, physical or emotional trauma, this may well be the course for you. This short non-accredited course will guide you through how you can apply Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) as a complementary treatment to support you in dealing with physical pain and emotional distress. It is also referred to as tapping or psychological acupressure. People who use this technique believe tapping the body can create a balance in your energy system and treat pain. This course offers interactive discussion and easy to learn practical techniques that millions of people use every day. With regular practice you may be surprised at how you can make a difference to your health and wellbeing.

All our Care2 courses are completely free for unpaid carers (or those who have previously been carers). You do not need to receive a carer's allowance to qualify. If you are unsure, please contact our call centre advisors who will be able to assist you. This seated yoga is a progression for some and new for others. Suitable for all levels and taught by Georgia an experienced yoga teacher, who offers a range of difficulties to suit everybody. During this relaxed and friendly class, you will learn accessible yoga postures that can be done from the comfort of your own chair. We will cover breath work and body alignment. This class will strengthen your body, increase your flexibility and prepare you for your day by offering a meditation at the end of every session. You will learn how you can benefit from a regular yoga practice that incorporates hand mudras. All you need to do is prepare a space at home where you will not be disturbed, have a comfortable chair with back support and wear comfortable clothing. Look forwards to seeing you there!