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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Budget Planning & Saving on Bills

Effective budget planning can make you feel like you’ve had a pay rise. Organising your personal budget and understanding your outgoings is the first step towards healthy financial well-being. And the good news is - budgeting is a skill anyone can learn. This budgeting course is right for you if you want to improve your financial well-being. Whether you’re trying to cope with the cost of living crisis or just want to plan your finances better, this course can help you. You do not need advanced maths skills to take this course. It is appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Wed 11/06/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017826
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Healthy Living: Gua Sha for Lymphatic Drainage and Glowing skin

✨ Are you embarking on a journey through your face for the first time? ✨ Do you want to do learn how to use a Gua Sha and do facial lymphatic drainage properly? ✨ Do you want to see results on your face in just four weeks ? Then this course is for you ✨

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 17/06/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00020802
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Personal Development Study Skills 

Develop effective study skills with our comprehensive course. Learn techniques for time management, note-taking, and exam preparation. Ideal for students and professionals looking to enhance their academic performance and productivity.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 10/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Joanna Browning-Seyfi
Course code:
Q00021824
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Mindfulness and Creative Writing in Nature

Discover the wonderful practice of Mindfulness combined with Nature Connection to support your mental health recovery and well being. This is a friendly course designed to support mental health recovery, resilience and well being in order to contribute to a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world. The aim is to help you manage difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression and enhance your well being by bringing more awareness to your life while practising having the self confidence to express yourself. It is ideal for those who want to keep physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually fit. It will offer you guidelines, like helping hands, to move you deeper into your own authenticity and into a life that is richer and fuller, simply because you are living with more skill. This course is designed for all bodies and is ideal for people who like to contemplate how to live more skilfully as individuals, as a community and in relationship with your environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shekinah Endeavour House (Torquay)
Endeavour House, 228 Union Str
Torquay
TQ2 5QS
Tutor:
Ione Harris
Course code:
Q00017083
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £52.50

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 14/05/2025 -
Wed 14/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00021697
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£11.10

Confidence Building for the Unemployed

This supportive and practical course is designed to help you rebuild self-belief, develop a positive mindset, and regain a sense of purpose. Through guided discussions, real-life strategies, and friendly group activities, you’ll begin to recognise your strengths and feel more in control of your future. Whether you're looking to get back into work, retrain, or simply feel more confident in everyday life, this course offers a safe space to grow. No previous experience needed—just bring yourself and an open mind.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 14/05/2025 -
Wed 30/07/2025
Location:
Expanding Horizons
46 Medway
New Strand Shopping Centre
Bootle
Bootle
North West
L20 4SR
Course code:
Q00022148
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Fitness and Exercise: Mental Health Awareness week – Yoga to improve mental wellbeing

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, join our Yoga to Improve Mental Wellbeing course. This class focuses on yoga practices designed to enhance mental health and emotional balance. Through a blend of gentle postures, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques, you will learn methods to calm the mind and support mental clarity. Suitable for all levels, this course encourages you to listen to your body and adapt practices to meet your individual needs. Enjoy a supportive environment where you can develop effective strategies for improving your mental wellbeing and overall quality of life through yoga.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018236
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Ways to Wellbeing: Herbs

This course is designed for those interested in using wonderful herbal essential oils and combining massage techniques with themselves or family members. Even if you have prior knowledge in aromatherapy and any other forms of massage or are a complete beginner, join me for a relaxed and informal session and start looking after your own health and well-being. 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 a wide range of herbal essential oils and how each one has a wide range of amazing uses. You can use your newfound knowledge to either work on yourself or bring a family member or friend to use as a model to practice upon.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00017008
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

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 15/05/2025 -
Fri 16/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00018976
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Understanding ADHD: Working with ADHD

Are you or a loved one waiting on a diagnosis for ADHD? If so, the tools and resources in this ADHD course can support you through the process. Having correct and up-to-date information is a crucial part of understanding the diagnosis. This equality & diversity course is aimed at people supporting others with ADHD. Gain understanding of what ADHD is and how it affects behaviour. Consider the facts and myths surrounding ADHD and learn ways to interact productively with individuals with ADHD. Gain awareness of behaviour that challenges and explore strategies to manage it.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 16/05/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sanjaya Grero
Course code:
Q00016756
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30