WEA courses

Feeling overwhelmed by household finances? Tired of wondering where your money goes? This 4-week course will empower you to take control with basic budgeting skills. We'll unravel the mystery of household budgeting, making it manageable and clear. Explore smart supermarket schemes and discover if they truly benefit you or the stores.

This is a chance to revisit some famous literary moments from Regency and Victorian novels, to remember, discuss and enjoy them together, to introduce some that are less familiar, and to inspire further reading.

For the last century, crime fiction has been the most popular and lucrative of literary subgenres. But this commercial success belies a formal inventiveness and experiment, a constant drive to ‘make it new’, which has long been central to the genre. In this course we will read six crime novels (and three short stories) which chart the development of crime fiction. As well as considering each of these novels in isolation from week to week, we will also use the seven week course to ask ourselves: how has crime fiction changed through the years, and how has it remained the same? No previous knowledge of crime fiction is necessary – everybody is most welcome!

We will be studying plays and how they are, or might be performed. As far as possible we will choose plays that we can see locally, either at nearby theatres, mainly Derby and Nottingham or streaming. Our aim is to enhance our understanding and enjoyment of theatre and to explore its relevance to our life today. We will read extracts, discuss the themes and how they are presented, and consider the current performance.

Set yourself up for success at learning English with this Getting Ready for Functional Skills Entry level English preparation courses. Get an English qualification to help you access a variety of work and study options. Functional skills courses in English teach you to read, write, and communicate confidently in English. Functional skills English isn’t like learning English at school. This is an English course for adults created by adults. Develop practical English skills by learning language in context.

Build up your basic maths skills to help you progress towards work and study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical skills for everyday life. This entry level functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Understand maths through real-life situations. Functional skills maths entry courses expand your understanding of basic calculations. This can help you learn to manage your personal budget and do other daily tasks. This entry 2 functional maths course is right for you if you want to build on your basic maths skills to work or study. It can help you show employers that you have the essential skills they look for. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

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. Would you like a lovely Spring bulb display in your garden but not sure how to best care for them? Maybe you don’t know which bulbs are best for the soil in your garden or where to plant them, or just want some general tips on how to get the best out of your bulbs. Join tutor Debbie Young at the Reading Rooms in Billericay on this fun and informative one-off free course for carers, care staff and former carers as part of the Care 2 delivery.

Build your confidence using digital skills in your personal life and in the workplace. Understand how digital programmes and services can enhance your everyday life and simplify common tasks. Learn skills employers look for and improve your job prospects. If you’d like to learn digital skills for a better life, this course will teach you everything you need to know. This get ready for Entry 3 digital skills course is suitable for improvers, as you will build upon your current digital device knowledge. Learn how to use the Microsoft Office programmes: create and edit text documents in Word, create spreadsheets and use number calculations and use PowerPoint to create presentations. These are universal digital skills employers look for and can help you in a variety of job roles.

Are you looking for a relaxing hobby to help you unwind? Creating moments of calm in the day is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. Step into the world of mindful crafts with this course and enjoy art for relaxation. This creativity course allows you to explore your art and craft skills to find practices that soothe you. Whether you enjoy drawing, painting, origami, or craft-making, art courses can help you find a relaxing hobby.

Learn basic communication skills with this ESOL speaking and listening course. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn essential speaking and listening skills to be able to communicate in English. Entry 1 ESOL courses help people who are just starting to learn English. This course will help you gain confidence to speak about basic topics and understand core words. There are also reading and writing courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.