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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Pre-Entry English: Driving theory part 1

This 5-week course is designed to equip ESOL learners with the English language skills needed to successfully pass the UK driving theory test. Through focused practice and explanation, learners will develop their understanding of road rules, hazard perception, and vehicle handling, preparing them confidently for the test.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Samantha Singh
Course code:
Q00016693
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Seated Yoga

Did you know yoga can help you get stronger and more flexible, no matter your age or abilities? There are yoga courses for all levels and needs. Even if you can’t take part in a standing class, this beginner’s yoga course can help you gain mobility without taking a toll on your joints. Seated yoga is perfect for you if you’d have difficulty following a regular yoga lesson. Whether you have mobility issues or chronic fatigue, this yoga course can help you reduce stiffness in your joints and learn to relax. Enjoy the practice of yoga from a chair.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Thurmaston Community Centre
Silverdale Road
Thurmaston
Leicester
LE4 8NJ
Tutor:
Sukhwinder Garcha
Course code:
Q00018708
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £31.50

Multiply-Baking on a Budget

"Baking on a Budget" is an 11-hour course teaching basic baking skills while saving money. Learn how to bake, mix, flour, sugar, and butter. The course covers how to buy affordable ingredients, follow simple recipes, and store baked goods properly. You'll get hands-on practice, watch helpful videos, and join fun activities. The course also provides tips on fixing common baking problems and quizzes to test your knowledge. By the end, you'll know how to bake delicious treats without spending much money and understand basic baking vocabulary to confidently follow recipes.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
9:15am - 11:45am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Mount Pleasant School (Southampton)
Mount Pleasant Road
Newtown
Southampton
SO14 0WZ
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00019280
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Building Emotional Resilience

Do you often feel overwhelmed? Would you like to have more control over your emotions? This course can teach you how to build emotional resilience through effective emotional awareness and confidence-building exercises. It’s easy to feel like everything is getting on top of us during these uncertain times. This Mental Resilience training can help you identify small steps to maintain calm during challenging situations. Avoid feeling like everything is unravelling and learn to deal with challenges when they come. This Mental Resilience training will help you identify aspects of your life or situations that are difficult emotionally. Work together with the group to develop strategies to deal with these emotions without falling apart. Explore various confidence-building exercises to help you handle your emotions. Learn how to build emotional resilience. You may do activities such as presenting to the class or surveying friends and family members. Emotional Resilience courses help you excel in personal and professional situations. By the end of this emotional awareness course you will have tools and strategies to feel stronger in the face of challenging situations. Depending on your needs, there are various study options after this course. You may consider a course in Assertiveness or Confidence Building. Please bear in mind that you’ll need to have access to the internet to take this confidence course online. Communicate with your tutor and access learning materials through Canvas, the WEA’s digital learning portal. We’re committed to helping you access and enjoy adult education. If there’s something we can do to help you, we will. Your learning is our priority. The WEA is an adult education provider and we pride ourselves on our ability to create a friendly classroom atmosphere, in person and online.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 20/02/2025
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Course code:
Q00013113
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

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:
£15

Personal Development: Individual Growth and Self-awareness

Embark on a transformative journey with this 11-week course focused on personal development and self-awareness. Run by an experienced tutor this course seeks to empower participants in various aspects of their lives. Through workshops, discussions, and activities, participants will develop emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience. Join us to nurture self-discovery, strengthen relationships, and navigate life's challenges with a newfound sense of purpose. There will be an enrolment session at the venue on 5th September between 10-2. Please bring photographic ID, proof of address and proof of benefits (if applicable). Learners cannot attend the course until fully enrolled.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Millan Centre (Bradford)
Victor Street
Bradford
BD9 4RA
Tutor:
Tanzeela Javid
Course code:
Q00011567
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Using a Spreadsheet to Manage Finances Multiply

Learn how to use spreadsheets to manage your finances with our Using a Spreadsheet to Manage Finances Multiply course. Understand basic spreadsheet functions and how to apply them to budgeting and financial planning. Ideal for individuals looking to improve their financial literacy and digital skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 17/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00017800
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Craft: Sugar Craft

This FREE Sugar Craft course is designed to introduce you to the art of creating beautiful and intricate designs using sugar. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course covers a wide range of techniques and provides hands-on experience to help you master sugar craft. Course will include the basics of sugar craft including the different types of sugar and edible materials to create your decorations. You will also cover the materials an tools required to create your beautiful decorations.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 17/01/2025 -
Fri 21/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Trimdon Grange Community Centre (Trimdon
Kielder Drive
Trimdon Grange
Trimdon Station
TS29 6PB
Tutor:
Jayne Clark
Course code:
Q00019214
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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! Confidence training teaches you how to ask yourself important questions and understand why your self-esteem is low. This is the first step towards changing your inner speech and boosting confidence. Learn techniques to motivate yourself and be more assertive.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/01/2025 -
Mon 24/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017000
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Help your Child with Numeracy Multiply

Improve your child's numeracy skills with practical tips and strategies in this course. Ideal for parents and carers looking to support their child's learning at home.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/01/2025 -
Mon 03/03/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00017112
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Tue 21/01/2025 -
Tue 08/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Easington Lane Community Access Point
Easington Lane
Houghton - le- Spring
DH5 0LE
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00019291
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free