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.

Skip to courses

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.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

Healthy Living: Mindful Relaxation practice to support pain management

Would you like to manage pain more effectively and enhance your overall well-being? This course focuses on mindful relaxation techniques to support pain management. Chronic pain can significantly impact your quality of life, but through mindful practices, you can learn to ease discomfort and develop a more positive relationship with your body. We will focus on body awareness, breathwork, and gentle movements to reduce pain. Each session will conclude with a guided relaxation practice designed to support pain relief. Everyone can benefit from learning these techniques to manage pain naturally.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 14/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Bailey
Course code:
Q00018256
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Healthy Living: Mindfulness and well being

Enhance your well-being through mindfulness practices with our Mindfulness and Wellbeing course. Learn techniques for stress reduction, relaxation, and improved mental health. Ideal for individuals seeking to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 07/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00018587
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Intermediate British Sign Language (BSL)

Knowing how to sign can make your communication more inclusive for everyone you interact with. Build on your skills in British Sign Language to be able to have deeper interactions with deaf people. This BSL course is suitable for you if you need to communicate with deaf people or people with hearing impairments. It can help you in a variety of contexts, for example in a voluntary or community role, or simply through social interactions. This course is aimed at intermediate learners. You will build on your existing BSL skills. If you would like to start from scratch, you can take the beginner’s BSL course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Helen Watson
Course code:
Q00012273
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

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 13/01/2025 -
Thu 16/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017001
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ 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:
£15

Trade Union Education: Gaslighting – The Workplace

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 the workplace. 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 13/01/2025 -
Mon 13/01/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Matthew Pointon
Course code:
Q00018669
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Managing Stress

Do you find it difficult to wind down? When we’re stressed it’s hard to feel calm and relaxed. But you don’t have to live with constant stress. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress awareness course is helpful for anyone who wants to learn to alleviate stress. In this course we will learn how to identify stress risk factors, recognise the symptoms of stress, and apply techniques to reduce it. Depending on your needs, there are various study options after this course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00016703
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Saving Money and Being Sustainable: The Healthy Family Food Workshop

Cooking homemade food doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Learn how to feed the whole family with tasty and affordable meals in this cooking on a budget course. This is a cooking and personal finance course rolled into one. You’ll get practical budgeting tips you can apply in the kitchen. This course is ideal for you if you’d like to learn how to cook homemade meals on a reduced budget. Learn how to select nutritious ingredients to prepare wholesome meals without breaking the bank. Brainstorm recipe ideas with the class to make use of leftovers. Get tips on how to store food properly to avoid wastage. Learn how to save money when doing food shopping and other budgeting tips.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 04/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Amie-Alissa Watson
Course code:
Q00018155
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Help Your Child with English and Mathsv

Support your child's learning at home with this practical course. Gain tips and strategies for helping your child succeed in English and Maths. Ideal for parents looking to engage with their child's education.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Thu 30/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00015753
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Get Ready for Maths Multiply

Prepare for maths exams with our Get Ready for Maths Multiply course. Learn essential maths skills and techniques for effective exam preparation. Ideal for students looking to improve their maths proficiency and exam performance.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Paulsgrove community centre (Portsmouth)
Marsden Road
Portsmouth
PO6 4JB
Tutor:
Persis Thomas
Course code:
Q00017804
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Driving Theory Test Preparation Part 1

Prepare for your driving theory test with our comprehensive Driving Theory Test Preparation Part 1 course. Gain the knowledge and confidence needed to pass your test and get one step closer to your driving licence.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Hope Street Ltd (Liverpool)
13A Hope Street
Entrance 24 Arrad Street
Liverpool
L1 9BQ
Tutor:
Andrea Ostapski
Course code:
Q00016615
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00