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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Mens club - cooking on a budget

We will be cooking together in real time, making a variety of dishes, with advice and ideas on how to change the quantities to suit the number of people you are cooking for. We will look at ways of cooking and baking for one or two, or enough for a party. We shall be measuring ingredients and there will be time to find out about all the different ways measurements are written in recipes, so you can cook with confidence. Recipes will be put on Canvas before the course begins, so you can go shopping if you are going to cook along with me. All questions are welcome during the session, novice cooks are welcome along with those who have more experience and we will share ideas. Outcome: Double and halve the quantities in a recipe using metric and imperial measures while cooking a variety of dishes.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Location:
Hesters Way Community Resource Centre
Cassin Drive
Cheltenham
GL51 7SU
Course code:
Q00017032
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Fitness and Exercise: Monday Movement this Spring - Basic Jazz and Swing Dance Steps for Everyone

This is a great way to start the week if you like doing exercise, dancing and having fun. Keep fit and exercise with a fun and feelgood hour of music, movement and relaxation. Work at your own pace and level. Each session you will work on: - breathing exercises - simple stretching (to get warmed up & alert) - easy aerobic sequences - basic JAZZ & SWING dance moves (to incorporate into an uplifting song)

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:00am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Helen Watson
Course code:
Q00012288
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £18.50

Trade Union Education: Gaslighting – Family & Friends

Do you know what ‘gaslighting’ is? Most people have heard of the term, but many do not understand what it really means. This workshop will delve into the issue of gaslighting in the context of relationships with family and friends. We will explore what the word actually means (its use and misuse), how to recognise the signs, and what can be done about it.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Mon 24/02/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018673
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Personal Development: Everyday Life Skills - Interpersonal Skills

Have you always wanted to become more skilful when communicating with others? This course will help you to understand what is meant by interpersonal skills and how to be more effective when interacting with other people in a variety of situations. Every individual has a personal style and an interpersonal style. Some people are more successful than others at using interpersonal skills for specific, desired results. This course will offer you the opportunity to practice speaking in different life situations, helping you to gain confidence and be more prepared for the conversations you may find most challenging, including interviews and/or difficult conversations with the people who are close to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 22/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017750
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £189.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Healthy Living: Meditation and Mindfulness to support stress management

Discover effective stress management with our Meditation and Mindfulness for Stress course. This class focuses on techniques to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being. Through guided meditations and mindfulness practices, you will learn to calm the mind, release tension, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Suitable for all levels, this course empowers you to manage stress effectively in a supportive learning environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018252
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Fitness and Exercise: 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. This course is perfect for you if you want to do exercise appropriate for reduced mobility. The first thing you’ll learn is that yoga is about so much more than bending into complicated poses. Understand basic breathing and meditation techniques as you take the first steps into self-care

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Belmont Court
6 Glen Road
Bournemouth
BH14 0HF
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00016951
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Cooking Practical: Cooking from Scratch - Spring Recipes

Cooking at home from scratch is a technique to create home cooked food in a way which is healthy for you. You are certain about all the ingredients which are in the dish, no hidden ingredients. You are in control of what you are putting in your food and eating. Preparing food for the family reflects your love for them. Cooking at home can be a new skill to learn. During this course your tutor will give you demonstration and individual attention for your guidance. In this course you will be cooking sessional spring food which you can enjoy after each session with your loved ones.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kauser Nabeel
Course code:
Q00018024
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:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
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

Healthy Living: Managing Anxiety

Learn practical strategies for managing anxiety in everyday life with our Healthy Living: Managing Anxiety course. Ideal for anyone looking to reduce stress and improve their mental well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00016728
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Managing Your Wellbeing for Work, Life and Study

During this 6-week course, you will look at a variety of techniques that could help you to manage your wellbeing. Each week we will have a theme, that builds your knowledge around mental health wellbeing’s, for example, the NHS 5 steps the wellbeing, mindfulness, healthy lifestyles and work life balance. At the end of the course, you will have created a poster all the wellbeing techniques you like.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016730
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80