Courses to build life skills

Learn life skills with the largest charitable provider of adult education in England and Scotland. Adult learning isn’t like school. Everyone belongs at the WEA. You’ll get meaningful, and tailored support, so you can reach your full potential. Our classes are friendly and fun, designed for adults like you. We won’t talk down to you and you’ll learn skills that you’ll use in everyday life.

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What are life skills?

Simply put, they are skills that make everyday life easier. Life skills include cooking, budgeting, communicating with others, health, well-being and managing emotions. Sometimes this means learning new things, and sometimes it means building on things you already know.

Sometimes adulting can be hard. These courses can help make it feel just that bit easier, make you feel more independent and empower you to face the future ahead.

Small steps to larger goals

You don’t have to have big goals in mind. Just take small steps towards boosting your skills and improving your wellbeing. Whether it is learning to budget better or cook healthier food. Building your confidence or gaining independence. There is a course for you.

When you study with us, you will:

  • Build your confidence
  • Learn new life skills
  • Improve your everyday life and wellbeing

Take a look at our great range of courses and start making a positive change today.

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Cooking Practical: Slow Cooking for beginners

Do you enjoy cooking wholesome meals? A slow cooker workshop is an opportunity to get the community together to have a chat, share some food and talk about great recipes! As you use the slow cooker, you can highlight the benefits of slow cooking as a way to save energy at home, as well as how it encourages use of fresh produce. Our tutor will guide you on how to prep and cook your own meals to enjoy at home, as well as giving you lots of recipe ideas and healthy tips.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/05/2024 -
Wed 22/05/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Coopers Court
Church Street
Charlton Kings
Cheltenham
South West
GL53 8AP
Tutor:
Victoria Hendzel
Course code:
Q00014424
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £18.90

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Developing active listening skills with children

This short course is aimed at those looking to work with children. You will learn the key listening skills needed when working with children and young people. The course will explore the benefits of using open questions to help children and young people express themselves clearly and you to listen with a deeper understanding and empathy. You will learn what importance of how the acknowledgment of a child's feelings and needs will help you become a better active listener. These skills are linked to safeguarding when supporting children and young people. These are essential skills for those working with or volunteering in this sector.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/05/2024 -
Wed 26/06/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Capel Manor Primary School (Enfield)
Bullsmoor Lane
Enfield
EN1 4RL
Tutor:
Allison McClean
Course code:
Q00015543
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Makaton

Ever heard of Makaton? It's a unique language programme, and over 100,000 people are using it to communicate in the UK today. It combines symbols, signs, and speech to make conversation easier for people who have communication difficulties. This Makaton course is ideal for you if you want to learn an inclusive communication tool. It can help you interact with people who have speech, hearing, or learning difficulties. This Makaton sign language course covers the essentials of hand signals, fingerspelling, and signing. Learn to introduce yourself. Develop knowledge to be able to sign about basic topics such as numbers and colours.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/05/2024 -
Thu 20/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Heart on the Terrace
8 Woods Terrace
Murton
North East
SR7 9AA
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00014118
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Regaining Confidence and Self-esteem

Do you ever feel unsure of yourself? Perhaps around new people or at job interviews? If so, this self-esteem course can help you build tools to face these situations with confidence. Low self-esteem can hold you back in all areas of life. Whether you’d like to build confidence to step back into education, meet new people, or change jobs, confidence-building courses can teach you essential tools to change your mindset. Learn how to build self-esteem and overcome obstacles that are holding you back. The first step in your journey is believing you can successfully complete this course!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/05/2024 -
Fri 05/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Ethicare (Durham)
Southbrook House, Church Vale
High Pittington
Durham
DH6 1AH
Tutor:
Margaret Mordue
Course code:
Q00015127
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Budgeting Basics for Under 1 Roof - Norfolk Multiply

This course is run for Under 1 Roof customers. It will help you develop a healthy relationship with money. It will help get your money sorted and make sure you’re getting the best deals. Our course can help you plan your money, stick to your budget and find better ways to make savings. This course is designed to support individuals with using numeracy skills to manage their money. Learners will gain support in becoming more confident using basic everyday maths skills and learn how to budget within their means for example you will learn how to create affordable meals within your own budget. You’ll get practical budgeting tips you can apply in the kitchen and spotting a bargain when shopping and how to get the best value deals and offers to make your money stretch further.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/05/2024 -
Fri 17/05/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Under1Roof (Norwich)
100-102 Westwick Street
Norwich
NR2 4SZ
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00015266
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2: Identify ways to support living with Dementia

Many seemingly small changes or adaptations in the home can really help to make life with Dementia a bit easier and happier for those with Dementia and their carers. We shall be exploring a number of small changes, and in this supportive learning environment we will be sharing our own experiences and learn from each other. There will be plenty of discussion in this session, and I hope you will all leave with a couple of ideas to try. I will signpost you to find further support services should you need them.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 13/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Catherine Wilcock
Course code:
Q00015068
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Maths for the Care Sector - Multiply

Here at the WEA we believe in bringing education within reach of everyone Our maths course is designed to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the essential numeracy skills they need to succeed at any age. We want to help people to improve their ability to understand and use maths in daily life. This Maths for the care course is an opportunity to learn new skills to support you no matter what role you play in work. You will be able to understand how to use new maths skills to support with your children's homework, along with managing finances and supporting you in your career progression. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Tue 21/05/2024
Times:
2:15pm - 5:15pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00014889
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Advanced- Road Safety Awareness

This course aims to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in road safety, personal safety, and safe travel practices. Students will delve into advanced concepts of pedestrian safety, understanding traffic signals, safe biking, and navigating public transportation. They'll also explore personal safety strategies, including stranger danger awareness, cyber safety, and emergency preparedness. Furthermore, the course will cover safe travel tips for various environments, such as urban, suburban, and rural settings. Through interactive activities, simulations, and real-life scenarios, students will develop critical thinking and decision-making skills to ensure their safety in diverse situations. Students will develop confidence building skills and knowledge to help them in future travel situations.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Focusability (Lincoln)
Ryland Bridge Welton
Lincoln
LN2 3RP
Tutor:
Patrick O'Reilly
Course code:
Q00014279
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Preparation for driving theory

This course is designed to help prepare learners for their driving theory test. The course will help learners get familiar with what can be expected on the driving theory test by learning the knowledge needed to take the test. The course will give learners the knowledge of the highway code, road signs, hazard perception, and what to expect on the day of the exam. There will also be an opportunity for learners to practice mock tests in an exam environment and get feedback from the tutor. This is a 10-week course which will cover the main aspects of the exam and support them with their revision.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 23/07/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St Johns Centre (Manchester)
St Johns Road
Old Trafford
Manchester
M16 7GX
Tutor:
Rebecca Ngoma
Course code:
Q00015294
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Holistic Therapy: Indian head massage

Welcome to your FREE 6-week course all about Indian head massage. Where you will learn about the history, origin, and principles behind Indian head massage. We will explore the benefits to Indian Head massage, the techniques and precautions that are taken when performing the treatment. This course is for beginners who have never tried the treatment before. But if you do have a little experience, please do enrol as with all beauty & holistic treatments the learning is endless. You will be mainly taught through practical activities where you will observe the tutors’ demonstrations and practice the techniques on each other. Theory will consist of handouts or note taking, whichever suits you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 25/06/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Bullion Hall (Chester le Street)
South Approach
Bullion Lane
Chester le Street
DH2 2DW
Tutor:
Tracey Carver
Course code:
Q00015392
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free