WEA courses

This intriguing course delves into the history of epidemics, focusing on the cultural, social, and scientific responses to diseases spread through coughing and sneezing. From the bubonic plague to the flu pandemics and COVID-19, students will explore how societies have understood and managed infectious diseases over time. Through historical case studies, primary sources, and discussions, participants will gain insight into the development of public health measures, the impact of epidemics on societies, and the lessons learned from past outbreaks.

British art of the twentieth century is outstanding for its range of interest, style and inherent individualism.  This seven week online course explores the richness and diversity of the fascinating work of a range of artists including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Henry Moore. We will also look at the portraits of Lucian Freud and Modern Art and the Great War. No previous experience is necessary  - just a lively, open-minded interest in art!  The social, cultural, political and historical context in which these works were produced

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free. This course is for Greater Peterborough and Cambridgeshire only.

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.

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.

Explore the therapeutic benefits of mixed crafts with our Ways to Wellbeing: Mixed Crafts course. Engage in various creative activities to enhance your mental and emotional well-being. Ideal for individuals seeking to improve their health through creative expression.

Discover the calming and creative potential of working with wool in our Ways with Wool course. Learn techniques for knitting, crocheting, and other wool crafts to enhance your well-being. Ideal for individuals seeking relaxation and creative fulfilment through wool crafts.

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK. The session on March 11th will take place face to face- Venue TBC. This course is only for learners in CB and PE postcodes.

Welcome to the world of creativity! This beginners' course in arts and crafts is designed to introduce you to various artistic techniques and mediums, providing you with a solid foundation to explore your creativity. Whether you're a complete novice or someone looking to refresh their skills, this course will guide you through the fundamentals of different art forms, encouraging you to express yourself through hands-on projects.

What does it take to keep the audience on the edge of their seat for the classic film thriller experience? What happens when crime is thrown into the mix? We explore five examples now regarded as classics of this genre and question – do they all have far more than ‘just’ generic entertainment value? For a brief period in the 1980s, it appeared as though the crime thriller expressed something about what was perhaps a changing, or changed Britain – we examine two of these films, The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa. Classics such as Brighton Rock provide an interesting and historical British cinematic parallel to the gangster and noir films of 30s and 40s U.S. Whereas, Get Carter, a film now regarded as an icon of national cinema was initially conceived as a trashy ‘pot-boiler’ for the U.S drive-in market, leaving some to argue it could be viewed as more of a ‘revenge Western’ set in North East England? Whilst Danny Boyle’s Shallow Grave seemingly reinvigorates the genre into something arguably more sophisticated and/or accessible in the 1990s? What common techniques do these films employ and what do they say thematically about reoccurring anxieties and tensions of the societies which produced and consumed them? Can filmmakers still learn from these or have some now dated in their power to keep us on the edge of the seat? Mona Lisa (1986), The Long Good Friday (1980), Get Carter (1971), Brighton Rock (1948), Shallow Grave (1994).