Creative, hobbies and daily living
What's on - Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Creative Crafts
Darlington Library
Thursday 16th January
5 weeks
1.00pm - 3.00pm
Cooking on a Budget
Redhall School
Thursday 16th January
5 weeks
9:15am - 11:15am
New Year, New Crafts
Physique Fitness
Friday 17th January
5 weeks
11.30am - 12.30pm
Cooking on a Budget
Rydal School
Wednesday 12th March
5 weeks
9:15am - 11:15am
Creative Writing
Darlington Library
Tuesday 18th March
7 weeks
3:15pm - 5:15pm
Are you looking to learn something new or for fun?
Would you like to learn new skills to help you with day to day life?
Our creative, hobbies and daily living courses can help you with these things and so much more.
We offer an exciting and varied range of free creative courses with options for online and in-person classes.
Take a look at our full range of courses below.
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who wants to learn how to create simple and affordable meals. The course will cover food costing comparisons, supermarket tricks and plenty of recipes, like homemade pizzas, quiche and soup. This course is taught in-person so you can get hands on with the cooking for the most effective learning.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who wants to learn how to create simple and cheap meals.
Entry requirements
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- You must live in Darlington and the Tees Valley area
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
This course will support you in being able to create delicious meals on a budget, meal plan and support with money saving top tips.
What will the course cover?
- Food costings comparisons
- Supermarket tricks
- Homemade pizzas and breads
- Perfect quiche and shortcrust pastry
- Homemade tomato sauce
- Various soups
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could progress onto one of our many other courses, such as Distance Learning or CPD courses that will be made available to you.
Where and when will I learn?
| Venue | Date / Weeks | Time |
| Mc Nay St | 14th January - 11th February, 5 weeks | 10am-12pm |
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything along to these sessions just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop an existing skill.
How much will the course cost?
This course is free of charge.
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected].
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who wants to learn about arts and crafts, and develop skills that will help their child’s motor and sensory skills. Each week, the course will focus on a different craft and they will vary from course to course, but may include clay creations, needle felting and material canvas designs. This course is taught in-person so you can get hands on with the crafting for the most effective learning.
Who is this course for?
Anyone who is 19+
What entry requirements do I need to start the course?
To be eligible for this course you must live in Darlington and the Tees Valley area.
There are no entry requirements for this course, only the enthusiasm to learn about and develop skills that will help their child.
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
The structure and delivery of the course’s curriculum will enable you to help your child grow and learn. It aims to improve parent’s confidence and ability regarding the way they support and promote their child’s motor and sensory skills.
What will the course cover?
Each week, we will focus on different craft skills and these will vary from course to course, for example:
- Clay Creations
- Needle Felting
- Material canvas designs
What could I do when I have finished this course?
After this course has finished you may like to join in with other Family Learning courses or adult learning courses, including Functional Skills English, Maths or ICT. You will be given information about other courses and guidance on to progress during this course.
Where and when will I learn?
| Venue | Dates / Weeks | Time |
| Darlington Library | 16th January - 13th February, 5 weeks | 1pm - 3pm |
| Physique Fitness | 17th January - 14th February, 5 weeks | 10.30am - 12.30pm |
What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring:
- a notepad
- a pen (or a digital device) to take notes
How much will the course cost?
This course is free of charge.
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected].
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who wants to try their hand at creative writing in a friendly and encouraging environment. The course will cover specific writing techniques, creativity boosting writing exercise and how to write your own narrative. It is open to writers of all abilities and taught in-person so you can ask questions and get feedback freely.
Who is the course for?
Anyone who wants to try their hand at creative writing. Develop skills and techniques to produce descriptive and narrative pieces in a friendly and encouraging environment. Open to writers of all abilities.
Entry requirements
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- You must live in Darlington and the Tees Valley area
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
This course will help you develop confidence and explore your creativity. Learn to use a range of techniques to produce written pieces.
What will the course cover?
- You will explore specific techniques for making your writing stand out.
- You will try out creativity boosting writing exercises.
- Write your own creative text demonstrating your narrative (story telling) or descriptive skills.
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could progress onto one of our many other courses, such as Distance Learning or CPD courses that will be made available to you.
Where and when will I learn?
| Venue | Dates / Weeks | Time |
| Darlington Library | 14th January - 11th March, 7 weeks | 3.15pm - 5:15pm |
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything, simply roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop an existing skill.
How much will the course cost?
This course is free of charge.
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected].
Course summary
This course is for anybody aged 19+ who wants to try their hand at creating festive arts and crafts in a friendly and encouraging environment.
Who is the course for?
Anyone who wants to try their hand at creating festive arts and crafts
Entry requirements
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- You must live in Darlington and the Tees Valley area
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
This course will support you in being able to create fun and quirky festive crafts.
What will the course cover?
-
White clay decorations
-
Needle felting Christmas decorations
-
Macrame
-
Decorated light up jars
-
Pebble art on wooden circle
- Plus lots more
What could I do when I have finished this course?
You could progress onto one of our many other courses, such as Distance Learning or CPD courses that will be made available to you.
Where and when will I learn?
| Venue | Dates / Weeks | Time |
| McNay St | 26th November - 10th December, 3 weeks | 12.30pm - 2.30pm |
What do I need to bring with me?
You will not need to bring anything, simply roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop an existing skill.
How much will the course cost?
This course is free of charge.
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected].
Course summary
This course is for anybody with very basic literacy skills to develop their everyday reading and writing.
It will help to improve day to day communication and support progression into further learning, such as into Entry Level Functional Skills English.
Entry requirements
- Aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Reside in Darlington and the Tees Valley area
- Ability to speak and read basic English
What is the curriculum intent of this course?
The structure and delivery of the course’s curriculum will enable you to develop your skills in reading and improve your reading skills in your day to day life, as well as encouraging you to read for pleasure.
It will also support your progression to further learning such as to Entry Level Functional Skills English courses.
What will the course cover?
The course will help you develop English reading skills at Entry Level.
This includes reading through various fun and engaging activities, as well as time to read independently.
What could I do when I have finished this course?
At the end of this course, you will be provided with information, advice and guidance on progression courses and other learning opportunities based on your interests and needs.
When you finish this course, you can progress to Functional Skills English at Entry level.
Where and when will I learn?
| Venue | Date / Weeks | Time |
| Darlington Library | 14th January - 11th February, 5 weeks | 1.15pm - 3pm |
What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring the following:
- Pen
- Notebook
How much will the course cost?
This course is free of charge.
What do I do next?
If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]
Need more information?
If you have any queries about our creative, hobbies and daily living courses, please do not hesitate to contact us.