WEA courses

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

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.

The purpose of this course is to aid you in finding the confidence and inspiration to get writing, using photographs as stimulus to creating original writing and developing creative skills. Using your own photography, we will create a unique piece of writing which can be fact or fiction. You will learn some handy tips and tricks to really bring out the writer in you!

With a series of sessions all designed to help you discover/rediscover and develop your own new and/or existing story ideas - be these a short story, a novel - or if you just aren't sure or even started writing yet. The return of this fun, friendly and structured approach to aid you in finding inspiration, putting pen paper and get writing as we let fate guide us! We let the 'hand of fate' take us on a fresh approach to finding & maintaining that vital spark of inspiration, motivation to write fiction. A spin of the wheel will decide the subject area, theme or tasks for the week in a fun and friendly chance to meet and share ideas with others, exploring useful tricks and tips - whilst importantly gaining some quality information, developing some genuine writing skills and getting writing!

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of textiles, covering the fundamental techniques and creative possibilities of working with various fabrics and fibres. Participants will explore different methods of textile creation, including weaving, knitting, dyeing, and printing. Through hands-on projects, demonstrations, and guided exercises, students will develop their skills and artistic expression in textile arts. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the properties of different materials, mastering essential techniques, and fostering creativity in design and execution.

Enhance your well-being through the creative art of drama with our Drama for Wellbeing course. Explore techniques for self-expression, emotional release, and personal growth through performance. Ideal for individuals seeking to improve their mental health through drama.

Join us for this practical course for beginners & improvers where you will learn to explore creative ideas & learn techniques making cards & decorative items with the personal touch. Let your creativity run wild and unleash your inner creative being - good for all skill levels and experience.

Explore the creative possibilities of papercrafts with our Introduction to Papercrafts course. Learn techniques for creating beautiful and decorative paper items. Ideal for beginners looking to develop their papercrafting skills.

Are too many too quick to dismiss the fantasy genre as pure entertainment and/or escapist spectacle? Are there varying degrees of fantasy on screen, rendering the term fantasy film as something rather too broad? We examine a selection of five films, all using elements of fantasy to tell their stories. In Orlando, adapted from literature, elements of fantasy are used to highlight inequalities within society. Young Einstein, a film derided by critics in the U.S, makes use of alterative history and elements of surrealism to both entertain and arguably present some deeper comments regarding humanity and innovation, does its fantastical approach help or hinder? Labyrinth offers a unique screen vision by immersing the viewer in a vivid fantasy world earning itself cult status to this day but is it for children, adults or both? Spirited Away makes use of animation to comment on the modern world, here, the fantasy element is fundamental to its approach. More recent films such as Barbie prove fantasy can be big at the box office, using a variety of different approaches to both entertain and relevant social comment. Are all these fantasy films as much if not far more than meet the eye? Are there any reoccurring themes approaches? And is fantasy an ideal medium for the screen? Orlando (1992), Young Einstein (1988), Labyrinth (1986), Barbie (2023), Spirited Away (2001).