Festival of Learning: No Kids Allowed

Adult Learners’ week, recently rebranded as the Festival of Learning, is a national celebration of continued education and lifelong inquisitiveness. The Festival holds its signature “Have a go” events throughout May and June and dishes out over 50 awards to grown-ups who’ve enriched their minds and achieved great things thanks to an adult education. (Nominations for the 2016 Awards close on 5pm on Friday, May 20.)

Post-teenage learners in Bristol have an array of opportunities to improve their lives and livelihoods through flexible and accessible education. Here are some adult learning courses that could positively impact you or other grown-ups around you:

Clifton Practice hypnotherapy training

Hypnotherapy, a quickly growing field that uses hypnosis to help patients reduce stress and gain willpower, has gained new life at the Clifton Practice. This school teaches “solution focused” hypnotherapy – meaning they concentrate on teaching patients tools to manage anxiety rather than delving into their tortured pasts. 

The course caters directly to adult learners seeking to better their own lives by helping others.

“It’s people who perhaps want to make a career change or who are trying to escape their current situation,” says Susan Rodrigues, the course’s coordinator, of the Clifton Practice’s students students. “People are living longer, they’re healthier for longer, and this gives people a chance to go into something that will allow them to give back a bit more.”

The course, developed by clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist David Newton, offers support during and after training and the class becomes, Rodrigues says, “like a family.”

Bristol University’s MSc in social work

If helping people is your bag, a two year postgraduate MSc degree at the University of Bristol could give you a step-up into the world of social work. The course is aimed at giving learners official qualifications to practice as professional social workers for vulnerable children and adults. 

“We’ve had students all the way up to their 50s and 60s, historically,” says Daryl Dugdale, the programme director for the MSc in social work, who confesses most of his students are aged 23-35. “We’re always interested in applicants who have lots of life experiences, such as social care experiences.” 

The course covers social science research, social work theories, ways to intervene in dangerous situations and insight into the myriad laws surrounding social work.

The 55-person course is full time only, with the application deadline for the course beginning in September 2016 on May 20 at midday. Though the course requires an undergraduate degree, the topic of that degree is unimportant. 

“Most are in criminology, psychology, social science, things like that,” says Daryl. “But we’ve had some students with degrees in astrophysics, Russian literature, the whole range, really.”

Bristol Folk House’s many artistic courses

This adult education centre has been offering adult education since 1920 and has some of the more flexible adult learning course schedules. Perfect for people wishing to dip their toes into new subjects, the classes only take up a half day or an evening and consist of both one-day workshops and 12-week courses alike.

“Our motto is ‘learning for pleasure,’” says Ella Charles, the general manager of Bristol Folk House. “We get a huge range of people – we take anyone over the age of 16. We get a lot of young professionals after work, and during the day we offer reduced rates for those over 60.” 

Course options here cover the entirety of what could be considered “art.” Arts, crafts, pottery, writing, music, dance and drama are represented, with slightly more technical language, fitness and personal development courses besides. 

“It’s quite a variety,” says Ella. “We run about 250 courses and workshops a term. It’s a wonderful place – a really established Bristol community centre. People are still discovering us for the first time. Other people have done courses here in the 60s and want to come back and learn again.”

Japanese language courses

Those interested in expanding their horizons – literally to the land of the rising sun – can take a Japanese course in Bristol. Classes at Yu Japanese Language School not only cover the fundamentals of the language but also delve into the intricacies Japanese culture. With courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners, students can learn as much or as little Japanese as they please. 

The courses generally last thirty weeks and are split into autumn, spring and summer terms at £120 a term. Those who seek more targeted learning (and who have a touch more cash to burn) can splurge on one-on-one or small-group private lessons. 

Advanced students can even prove their proficiency by studying for and taking the Japanese-language Proficiency Test (JLPT), the GCSE Japanese or Japanese A or AS levels – excellent for convincing your boss to send you abroad.

Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork

Seasoned massage professionals and beginners just hoping to help friends and family loosen up can both find suitable courses here. With workshops, professional training, practice days and supervision groups, adult students can learn to grind out knots and relax muscles using holistic, Thai and remedial/sports massage.

“The courses are basically aimed at anyone over the age of 18, and we get a full range of people,” says college manager Sarah Worley. “We’ve had people in their 50s and 60s. Everyone gets what they need to practice professionally, with a detailed understanding of body and anatomy and muscles.”

The college sees massage as a creative art, and provides the opportunity to practice in real-world settings during the student and graduate clinics. The Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork gives students a “whole body” understanding.

“We emphasize that students are given a toolbelt of techniques so they can tailor the massage to the client’s needs rather than learning a set routine,” says Sarah. “Also, some people talk about how they’ve had so much personal growth here. You learn a lot about yourself through the process of training.” 

Spike Island workshops

Spike Island, Bristol’s own international centre for contemporary art, is another treasure trove for adult learners. The artist-taught monthly programme I am Making Art caters to all ages, teaching visitors new techniques and approaches for art forms such as drawing, painting, collage, sculpture and animation. Interested individuals with busy schedules can pop in at any time during the session.

Other upcoming workshops include Industrial Sculpture, in which participants are inspired by urban architecture, and Making Stuff, an experimental class that utilises recycled waste materials to make art. 

The Spike Print Studio also runs adult print workshops, where adult artists can learn specific printing processes like vandercooking, carborundum printing and polymer photogravure. 

Read more: QEH sixth form to admit girls in 2017