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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Care2: Meditation Taster

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. It will provide a good overview of meditation practice, as well as some guided meditations, which help you learn how to establish and sustain a daily meditation practice

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 16/05/2025 -
Fri 16/05/2025
Times:
11:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bex Harper
Course code:
Q00021467
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Supporting Children & Teens with ADHD

Do you regularly interact with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, studying ADHD courses could help you greatly improve the support you offer them. This equality & diversity course is especially useful for parents and carers. You will understand the ADHD brain and the difficulties faced by children and teens with ADHD.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00018975
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Care 2: Simple Remedies to Combat Stress and Anxiety

This course if for carers, those who have cared, and the card for. This course will enhance well being with a variety of techniques and easy tips to help the body cope with stress and anxiety.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Mon 19/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00021815
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 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:
Mon 19/05/2025 -
Mon 28/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Delves Lane Community association (Conse
Village Hall
Delves Lane
Consett
DH8 7BH
Tutor:
Maria Hambley
Course code:
Q00022205
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Communicating with Confidence

This micro course is designed for learners who want to improve their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves. On this short course you will explore techniques for clear and effective communication in different situations, including conversations, group discussions, and presentations. The course covers essential skills such as active listening, body language, and managing nerves when speaking. Through practical exercises and supportive feedback, you will gain the confidence to communicate assertively and positively in personal, professional, and community settings. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their self-expression and build stronger connections with others.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 21/05/2025 -
Wed 21/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021699
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Care 2 (Health and Social Care): Simple Remedies to Combat Stress and Anxiety

This course will enhance well being with a variety of techniques and easy tips to help the body cope with stress and anxiety.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 21/05/2025 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00021825
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Cooking Practical: Springtime Cookery

Learn to cook with fresh seasonal ingredients.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00021568
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Supporting Children & Teens with ADHD

Do you regularly interact with young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, studying ADHD courses could help you greatly improve the support you offer them. This equality & diversity course is especially useful for parents and carers. You will understand the ADHD brain and the difficulties faced by children and teens with ADHD.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018977
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Care 2 Try Reflexology

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. It is designed for those who have an interest in learning how to apply reflexology to the hands and feet on either themselves or family members. Even if you have prior knowledge in other forms of massage or are a complete beginner, join me for a relaxed and informal space to start looking after your own health and wellbeing. Your teacher, Georgia, has been a reflexology/yoga/aromatherapy/Indian head massage enthusiast for over 30 years and has trained many students in all subject areas, who have progressed to become successful therapists. During this relaxed and friendly short course, you will learn about the techniques used for this wonderful modality.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 27/05/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
9:00am - 10:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00021692
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Practical BSL for Use in Everyday Situations for Advanced

This innovative online BSL course will explore the next level of British Sign Language for advanced, in order to use BSL in a variety of everyday situations. You will build on your solid knowledge of BSL, developing your vocabulary and extending your conversational techniques which will establish the next level of your BSL communication skills. This is an enriching and rewarding opportunity to advance your understanding of the Deaf community and the importance of access, inclusion and equality for all. Utilising a rich variety of online resources and interactive activities, this course will further develop your skills to confidently communicate with other BSL users and bridge the divide between the hearing and the Deaf.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 16/06/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Helen Watson
Course code:
Q00021318
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20