Wokingham Borough Connect
We have a variety of adult education courses on offer this term! There's a mixture of online or in person courses, all are interactive and tutor led.
Some courses are free and those courses that have a cost are free for anyone who is in receipt of Universal Credit (work related), Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or are on low income and in receipt of Income support. Please contact us with any queries as to eligibility.
Skills for work and life
Apply for any of these skills for work and life courses here or contact us via email or call 07785 314603.
Digital Skills for Beginners
- 26 April to 23 May, Tuesdays 2pm to 4pm, Wokingham Library
Learn to make better use of your PC, laptop, iPad, tablet or smartphone. Gain confidence in using email, internet searching, online safety, online shopping or video calling. These sessions are suitable for absolute beginners and are free. Apply here.
Building your confidence to get back into work or volunteering
- 3 May to 24 May, Tuesdays 1pm to 2.30pm, Online via Zoom
Getting into work or volunteering after a break for any reason or for the first time in a new country can be daunting. This course will help you to identify all the strengths and qualities you have that employers want and look at ways to expand your experience through volunteering or further learning whilst building your confidence to take the next steps. Apply here. This is a free course.
Excel for work
- 5 May to 26 May, Thursdays 10am to 12pm, Online via Zoom
Learn and practice spreadsheet skills in Microsoft Excel. Improve your skills for the workplace in these interactive sessions. Learn how to create formulas and techniques for summarising and sorting data. Apply here. Course cost £30.
Introduction to being a Teaching Assistant and Working in Schools
- 4 May to 15 June, Wednesdays 10am to 12pm, School Green Centre, Shinfield
Find out more about different roles available in schools and gain an understanding of how to apply for roles. Explore your own strengths and weaknesses in your transferable skills and build your confidence to apply for roles in schools. Apply here. Course cost £45.
IT Skills for Work
- 6 June to 27 June, Mondays 10am to 12pm, Wokingham Library
Refresh or learn new IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint to help you at work or on your job seeking journey. Learners will practice file management and by the end of the course you will be able to use simple documents, email attachments and feel more confident with your IT skills. Apply here. Course cost £30.
English for Speakers of Other Languages
- Online on Zoom or classroom based
Improve your English in a small, supportive group. Build your confidence in speaking, writing, reading and listening and explore helpful topics such as health, work and education. We have a number of classes running, and assess new learner’s levels to place them in an appropriate class – with a choice or online or classroom learning. Apply here for an assessment. Course cost £45.
Skills for life courses are free for those in receipt of Universal Credit (work related), Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or are on low income - please contact us with any queries.
Apply for any of these skills for work and life courses here or contact us via email or call 07785 314603.
Courses for parents or carers
Understanding Primary Education in England
- 25 April to 23 May, Mondays 10am to 12pm, Wokingham Library
- 3 May to 24 May, Tuesdays 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Loddon School
- 4 May to 25 May, Wednesdays 12.45pm to 2.45pm, Highwood School
These courses are aimed at parents who would like to gain a greater understanding of the different stages of primary education, and how they can support their child to flourish. Parents will gain an understanding of the curriculum and assessments as well as how support systems work in schools. The course is suitable for parents new to education in England and will also look at events schools celebrate as well as trips and residentials. Apply here. Cost £30.
Helping your child with English
- 7 June to 12 July, Tuesdays 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Loddon School
- 8 June to 13 July, Wednesdays 12.45pm to 2.45pm, Highwood School
Helping your child with English courses are ideal for helping you gain an understanding of how your child will learn at primary school and how you can encourage and support learning at home through simple activities. Apply here. Cost £45.
Family Matters Course
- 9 May to 13 June, Mondays 10am to 12 pm, Bradbury Centre, Wokingham
Aimed at parents and carers of children with autism or associated conditions (including dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD, anxiety, PDA, ADHD). The course will help with skills around with relationships, financial understanding & to improve mental wellbeing. To book a place on this free course contact ASD Family Help or text/phone: 07733 601755
Support for community groups
Connecting Communities in Berkshire offers a wide range of training courses for adults, designed to support community groups and the voluntary sector places can be booked via CCB.
Low carbon village halls and community buildings
- 11 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm, online
Is your community hall looking to migrate to renewable power and renewable energy systems? The Berkshire Project Officer from the Low Carbon Workplaces grant scheme will help you look at the options available as no two halls are the same. The sessions will also cover energy saving options and smart energy management. Course cost £12.
Wellbeing in Mind courses
Run by Activate Learning for Wokingham Adult Education, Wellbeing in Mind courses are designed for people aged 19+ with issues such as stress, low mood, and mild to moderate mental health issues. Places can be booked on these courses by emailing Wellbeing in Mind. or call 01344 766654.
Six Steps To Better Mental Health
- 25 April to 6 June, Mondays 12pm to 2pm, Woodley Hill House
In times of profound stress and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to protect our mental wellbeing. The course starts with some gentle inward focus and over the 6 weeks gradually works toward how we interact with the world and others. Sessions cover topics such as compassion & acceptance, self-care & low mood and mindfulness. Free course.
Mindfulness Seasonal Nature Walk
- 23 May, Monday 10.30am to 12pm, Woodley Hill House
- 18 July, Monday 10.30am to 12pm, Woodley Hill House
Do you feel lost and disconnected from the world around you? Scientific trials have shown that spending quality time in nature brings great benefits to our health and wellbeing. This includes quietening our busy minds, improving sleep, reducing blood pressure and boosting the immune system. Take some time out to slow down and relax, on an immersive, sensory walk in woodlands and green spaces around Woodley Hill House. These are free courses.
Yoga For Wellbeing
- 6 June to 11 July, Mondays 7pm to 9pm, Woodley Hill House
Yoga is a practice of postures and sequences, breathing techniques, concentration and relaxation. It allows you to develop strength and flexibility, self-awareness and balance of body and mind. This is a free course.
Relax with Ceramics
- 10 June to 1 July, Fridays 10am to 12pm, Woodley Hill House
Learn a variety of basic pottery and wellbeing techniques exploring themes of strength and fragility. Inspirations come from botanical structures, movement in rural spaces, daylight and a response to Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a free course.
Employment Outreach Support
Wokingham Borough Council is making the employment support it offers to residents more accessible through a dedicated phone and email line, and by having an outreach team in place that is visible in local communities.
Anyone who needs some help with their career can now contact the council’s employment outreach team by phoning 0118 977 8650, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. Alternatively you can email them on employmentoutreach@wokingham.gov.uk.
The team will either direct callers to a local service or invite them to either a face-to-face, or online/phone appointment to discuss their situation further and ensure they receive the right advice and support.
For further information on support in the borough please visit the Local Support Hub on the council’s website: https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/local-support-hub
Eligibility
You need to:
Live or work within the Wokingham Borough, or have a child attending a Wokingham school,
- AND be over 19 years old (as of 31st August 2021)
- AND have ordinarily been resident in the UK or EEA for at least 3 years. If you are an EEA National, you need to have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
All Ukrainian adults and their family members supported through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are immediately eligible for courses and are exempt from the 3-year residency requirement.
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK, are eligible to attend all courses except ESOL courses until 30/06/22.
There are a number of other exemptions including those for some asylum seekers or refugees. Please contact us on or 0778 5314 603 if you wish to discuss any exemptions further.
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