WEA courses

Join us for an engaging lecture on the portrayal of winter in art, exploring how artists have captured the season’s stark beauty, quietude, and introspection across centuries. From medieval illuminations and Bruegel’s lively 16th-century village scenes to Monet’s serene snowscapes, winter has many inspired painters. In their works they evoke the season’s unique mood and atmosphere. This session will examine iconic winter-themed works, delving into how artists convey the season's chilly textures and muted colours, but also its reflective qualities.

This friendly creative writing course will invite you to enter into relationship with your bodies and surroundings. The session will be held in a supportive way and will integrate some simple meditation (adaptable to all bodies), prompts for creative and reflective expression through writing, and even some environmental science! You will be guided to a holistic understanding of person and place. This course is ideal for people who like to write and to contemplate how to live more skilfully as individuals, as a community and in relationship with their surroundings. There will be time for sharing small parts of your writing towards the end of the workshop but no pressure, it’s about an unfolding individual/shared creative process and participants need to feel at ease to write freely.

During this course we will consider a wide range of novels that were pubished in the 1840s as a continuation of an exploration of literature published through the decades of Victoria’s long reign. We will consider a range of novels by both male and female writers: Barnaby Rudge (Charles Dickens 1841); The Luck of Barry Lyndon (W M Thackeray, 1844); Sybil (Benjamin Disraeli, 1845); Agnes Grey (Anne Bronté, 1847); Shirley (Charlotte Bronté, 1849). The 1840s were a prosperous time for many but but this decade was also known as the Hungry Forties. The 1840s also saw the growth of the realist novel.

Enjoy your ESOL studies online with this evening ESOL course with a qualified tutor. This course looks at how to use ESOL in your day to day life and in work here in the UK. The course will run for 14 weeks and give you a safe space to practise your speaking, listening, reading and writing to advance your skills and confidence. This course is aimed at people who work during the day and want to upskill in the evenings or use it as a top up for your ESOL classes. This course is part 2 of 2 courses that will concentrate on beginners ESOL skills for learners going into entry 1or entry 2 in September and are wanting to upskill further. The classes will revolve around the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. The class is run by a qualified and experienced tutor who will help you develop, improve and provide feedback throughout the course.

The course presents all twenty-two “fables” of Robert Louis Stevenson, some as short as a few lines, others running to several pages, all of them challenging the reader with unexpected approaches to human life. We will read all the fables in six weeks, coming together on Zoom to share responses and questions, examine the literary merits and explore the ways the fables might enhance our understanding of ourselves and others we come into contact with day by day. There are podcasts for each fable to supplement our discussions, as well as space on the Canvas site to continue the Zoom discussions.

During this creative and inspiring course, you will continue to collect your artistic ideas in sketchbook form. You will be developing your skills in drawing, painting, collage, note taking and sticking in reference to a range of inspirational material. You will continue to generate your own personal visual language as a starting point for larger work. This course will encourage you to consider the many themes, concepts and artists that resonate with you. The Sketchbook is a useful tool for the artist to offload their many artistic ideas and influences and try out new techniques and materials. This can be used in the safe space created in the classroom or wherever you go!

Embark on a fascinating journey through time and space as we unravel the mysteries and marvels of the Silk Road. This 10-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most significant trade routes in history, tracing its origins, evolution, and enduring legacy. From the bustling marketplaces of ancient cities to the cross-cultural exchanges that shaped empires, we will delve into the rich tapestry of cultures, economies, and ideas that flourished along this ancient network of trade routes. · This course will offer a rich interdisciplinary exploration of the Silk Road, drawing on historical texts, archaeological evidence, visual media, and discussion to deepen understanding of its pivotal influence in world history.

During this friendly and creative course, you will continue to use your sketchbook and art practice as a starting point to develop your work. You will have the chance to gain more confidence in your unique artwork by trying out different materials and techniques to create bigger scale work. You will be able to use the creative experiments carried out in your sketchbooks and on paper to progress your art practice by using your preferred techniques and materials. The many techniques, materials, themes, concepts and artists that influence your artwork will be crystallised into more finished pieces during this course.

Explore how cooking can improve your mental and physical health with this course. Learn nutritious recipes, meal planning, prepping techniques, and smart shopping tips. Discover how to make healthy, budget-friendly choices that enhance your wellbeing. Understand the connection between food and mood, and enjoy making healthy choices in a supportive environment.

Would you like to practice your English speaking and listening? Our Gloucester conversation club provides an informal, welcoming space for adult ESOL learners to practice their English, build confidence and develop social connections. Each session will be in a friendly, relaxed safe space and led by an experienced tutor. Learners will be encouraged to use their English and gentle tasks such as using questions will be used to facilitate this. Drinks will be provided throughout and learners will be given full support to explore their next steps within the WEA.