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.

Leading a busy life leaves little room for calm and relaxation. This can make it hard for us to wind down and enjoy the present. But finding these moments of calm is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. This meditation and mindfulness course is ideal if you want to learn to relax, be present, and alleviate stress in your life. Meditation courses teach us to recognise the importance of conscious thought in our everyday lives. Develop concentration strategies to help focus your mind. Understand the principles of mindfulness. Learn to block out intrusive thoughts and enjoy the present moment.

Leading a busy life leaves little room for calm and relaxation. This can make it hard for us to wind down and enjoy the present. But finding these moments of calm is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. This meditation and mindfulness course is ideal if you want to learn to relax, be present, and alleviate stress in your life. Meditation courses teach us to recognise the importance of conscious thought in our everyday lives. Develop concentration strategies to help focus your mind. Understand the principles of mindfulness. Learn to block out intrusive thoughts and enjoy the present moment.

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.

A look at the history of three important capital cities in Europe in the 19th century. In Paris, we’ll look at the aftermath of the Revolution of 1789, beginning with Napoleon's influence, and see how the restoration of the monarchy failed to eradicate discontent, leading to more revolutions and rebellions in the city in the 19th century. We’ll also examine Haussmann’s massive town-planning project that made Paris what it is today, the lives of some of the notorious Courtesans, and works by great artists who documented the events and scenes of the time. Moving to Vienna, we’ll see how the monarchy there was much more stable but that its reliance on tradition and conservative values seemed in conflict with modernising influences. We’ll see how Vienna began the 19th century as arguably the most important European capital, where the peace conference for the whole of Europe was held following the Napoleonic wars, but also how it found its position increasingly under threat from Berlin, which sought to replace it as capital of the German nation. Both cities saw revolutions in 1848 which brought them together in common cause, as their political leaderships tried to placate the people by bringing in more liberal constitutions, only to backtrack and return to more traditional forms of government. We’ll also look at the development of the Ringstrasse, influenced in part by Haussmann’s redesign of Paris, and the massive migration to the city as a result of large-scale industrialisation

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).