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 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø. 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

Personal Development: Introduction to Different Perspectives on Mental Health

We will explore the experience of mental distress from four very different viewpoints. Each has something to offer, none has the whole story. · The Biological aims to understand what is going on in the brain and the body. It underpins the medical model. · The Psychological perspectives seek to explain our mental states in terms of our thinking, feelings and habits. It’s all in the mind. · The Social perspective shifts the focus away from the individual. It is society that needs to change. · A Spiritual perspective goes beyond our limited sense of self to seek deeper meaning in our life journey.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 27/11/2024 -
Wed 27/11/2024
Times:
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kevin Walker
Course code:
Q00019893
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Keeping track of your finances digitally: financial literacy

This course empowers you to take control of your finances using digital tools and build a strong foundation in financial literacy. In today's digital age, there are numerous apps and software programs designed to simplify money management. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to leverage these tools effectively, transforming your financial well-being.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 29/11/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Derek Robinson
Course code:
Q00016639
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Would you like to learn techniques to relax and wind down? When we’re stressed or anxious it’s hard to feel calm. Anxiety affects over 8 million people in the UK at any time. But you don’t have to live with constant stress or anxiety. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress management course is ideal if you want to learn habits to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you lead a healthier and fuller life

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 29/11/2024 -
Fri 13/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Leicestershire Recovery College (Groby)
C/O Bradgare Unit
Glenfield Hospital Site
Groby
LE3 9EJ
Tutor:
Harsha Kotecha
Course code:
Q00017260
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Cooking Practical: Christmas on a budget

Cooking a homemade Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Learn how to feed the whole family with a tasty and affordable festive meal in this Christmas 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Hesters Way Community Resource Centre
Cassin Drive
Cheltenham
GL51 7SU
Tutor:
Julia Milton
Course code:
Q00013010
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø 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

Care 2: Staying calm at Christmas

All our Care2 courses are completely free for unpaid carers (or those who have previously been carers). You do not need to receive a carer's allowance to qualify. If you are unsure, please contact our call centre advisors who will be able to assist you. If you find Christmas stressful, why not treat yourself or a loved one to a gift of health and wellbeing? Have you ever been interested in helping yourself holistically? This course will take you through the fascinating art of reflexology where we will explore the roots and history of this amazing subject.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Georgia Daniel
Course code:
Q00019075
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Understanding ADHD: Living with ADHD

Feeling disorganized, forgetful, or struggling to focus? ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) might be the reason. This course explores the realities of living with ADHD, empowering you to understand the symptoms, navigate challenges, and discover strategies for success at home, work, and in relationships.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/12/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00016655
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Would you like to learn techniques to relax and wind down? When we’re stressed or anxious it’s hard to feel calm. Anxiety affects over 8 million people in the UK at any time. But you don’t have to live with constant stress or anxiety. There are simple techniques you can learn to manage it. This stress management course is ideal if you want to learn habits to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you lead a healthier and fuller life

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/12/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Poole
Poole
BH12 1ED
Tutor:
Dulcie Allan
Course code:
Q00012584
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

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:
Tue 10/12/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00018579
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Personal Development: Exploring our memories of Christmas, Winter and Renewal

This time of year, means different things to different people and yet the experience of hope and renewal in dark times is a universal theme. We will share our memories of this time and, as one memory sparks another, we can reflect on them together. These reflections could touch upon the nature of memory, on culture and identity, or on finding hope in difficult times. There is no need to be a good 'story-teller' as the memories shared will be short, snapshots of lives lived.The aim is to be inclusive as possible and accommodate those with some hearing difficulties.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 12/12/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kevin Walker
Course code:
Q00019892
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Food Hygiene

If you help out in a community or voluntary role, you may need to work with food. Understanding the safe handling of food is key to preventing infections and ensuring proper hygiene. Food safety courses are useful if you do any kind of charity or voluntary work that involves handling food. Whether you help prepare lunches at a community centre or collaborate with a food bank, this knowledge can help you ensure hygiene measures are followed.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/12/2024 -
Fri 13/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Nadia Belmajdoub
Course code:
Q00019032
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.50