Community Engagement - Buckinghamshire Adult Learning

Community Engagement

Buckinghamshire Adult Learning > Community Engagement

Community Engagement

We offer free courses and workshops to help you start to learn new skills, be more confident, meet new people, become a volunteer, get a qualification or get a job.*

Please do not worry about coming back to learning as an adult. We understand that adults learn differently to children and our classes are small and very supportive. Even if you did not enjoy school, we are sure that you will enjoy learning now!

Contact us to find out what we offer in your area or come to one of our weekly “Digital Drop-ins”.

You do not need any qualifications to enrol on our courses. Please let us know if you have a disability that might affect your learning so that we can help you.

*Courses are funded for adults aged 19 years or over at 1/8/2025 who have residency status in the UK/EU. Funding for these courses is targeted to support people who otherwise might not be able to afford to attend adult learning courses, including those with qualifications below Level 2 or no qualifications, those on low incomes, jobseekers and others referred by community partner organisations. 

adult learners making notes in a classroom

Our Courses

Digital: Ctrl+Alt+Refresh

Ctrl+Alt+Refresh is a workshop designed for current learners (ideally) to practice their skills during the summer break

17 August | Monday 10am – 2pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Digital: Confidence with Computers

This Workshop is designed for anyone looking to enrol on a digital class in September to get a feel what courses are about and explore the basics of gmail and google classrooms.

21 August | Friday 10am – 2pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Foundation Digital Skills

This course will help you get started and gain confidence using a computer.

17 September – 26 November | Thursday 9:30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

25 September – 4 December | Tuesday 12.15pm – 2.45pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Foundation Digital Skills Improvers

This course will help you get started and gain confidence using a computer.

21 September – 30 November | Monday 9.15am – 11.45am
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Moving on with your Digital Skills

This course will help you to build confidence and advance your digital skills for everyday life and work.

15 September – 24 November | Tuesday 12.30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

18 September – 27 November | Friday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

25 September – 4 December | Friday 9.15am – 11.45am
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Digital - Get Connected

Develop essential digital and employability skills whilst building on your confidence to move towards employment or further opportunities.

21 September – 30 November | Monday 9.15am – 11.45am
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Digital Drop-ins - Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe

Are you struggling to use a computer? Or would you just like to use our computers and free wifi?

Come along to one of our free, weekly digital drop-in sessions in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham

Term-time Only

Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month | 10am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2RG

Tuesdays | 10am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Wednesdays | 9.30am – 11.30pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Use our computers or bring your own device. Support is available if you need it.

New Horizons - Improve your English, maths and digital skills

This course will increase your confidence with digital skills, English and Maths.

15 September – 24 November | Tuesday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

English For Health and Wellbeing

Join our friendly class to help improve your English.
You will learn speaking and listening skills for Health through Wellbeing activities and conversation. This course is being run in partnership with Public Health.

17 September – 10 December | Thursday 12.15pm – 2.15pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, HP20 2DB

18 September – 27 November | Friday 10am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

English For Reading and Writing

Build core skills, from understanding texts to structuring sentences. Whilst improving vocabulary, grammar and everyday communications.

22 September – 1 December | Tuesday 11.30am – 1.30pm
Community Centre, Aylesbury Methodist Church, HP20 2NQ

25 September – 4 December | Friday 9.30am – 12pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, HP20 2DB

English For Life and Work

Join our friendly class to help improve your English. You will learn speaking and listening skills for life and work through activities and conversation.

14 September – 7 December | Friday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

17 September – 3 December | Thursday 9.30am – 12pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, HP20 2DB

English for Life

This course provides English language learners with life skills and the opportunity to build on their speaking, listening, reading, writing, and vocabulary development.

8 September – 17 November | Tuesday 12.15pm – 2.45pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

10 September – 19 November | Thursday 12.30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

22 September – 1 December | Tuesday 6pm – 8pm
Online

23 September – 2 December | Wednesday 12pm – 2.30pm
Community Centre, Aylesbury Methodist Church, HP20 2NQ

24 September – 3 December | Thursday 10am – 2.30pm
Southcourt Baptist Church, Hp21 8HW

Getting to Grips with Word

This course teaches you the basics of Word processing, including document creation, formatting text, and utilising essential tools to enhance your writing.

14 September – 23 November | Monday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Getting to Grips with Excel

This course teaches you how to create an Excel spreadsheet, enter data and create simple formulas.

17 September – 26 November | Thursday 12:30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

22 September – 1 December | Tuesday 12.15pm – 2.45pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Getting to Grips with Powerpoint

Learn the basics of PowerPoint, including creating slides, formatting text, and using tools to add images and enhance your presentation.

14 September – 23 November | Monday 12:30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Unlock Your Confidence Through Reading

Improve your confidence and reading skills with class-based reading

17 September – 10 December | Monday 9:30am – 11.30am
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Everyday Google Skills for ESOL Learners

Learn how to use google for everyday life and build your confidence online

16 September – 21 October | Wednesday 11:30am – 1pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Everyday Digital for ESOL

22 September – 1 December | Tuesday 9.30am – 12pm
Community Centre, Aylesbury Methodist Church, HP20 2NQ

Healthy Meals on a Budget using an Air Fryer

Join this course and learn to cook simple, healthy recipes using an Air Fryer.

22 September – 1 December | Monday 10am – 12.30pm
Hope Church, Upper Belmont Road, Chesham Hp5 2DB

23 September – 25 November | Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

24 September – 3 December | Thursday 9.30am – 12pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, HP20 2DB

Feel good food: affordable cooking for body and mind

24 September – 3 December | Thursday 12.30pm – 3pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, HP20 2DB

Crafts for Wellbeing

Join these craft courses to learn a new skill in a relaxed and friendly environment to support your wellbeing.

Crochet for Wellbeing

23 September – 25 November | Monday 9:30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

23 September – 25 November | Monday 12:30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Beginners Sewing for Wellbeing

23 September – 21 October | Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm
Highcrest ALC, Highcrest Academy, Hatters Lane, High Wycombe HP13 7NQ

Beginners Knitting for Wellbeing

23 September – 21 October | Wednesday 12.30pm – 3pm
Highcrest ALC, Highcrest Academy, Hatters Lane, High Wycombe HP13 7NQ

Art for Wellbeing

14 September – 30 November | Monday 9.30am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

16 September – 2 December | Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm
White Hill Centre, HP5 1AG

Slow Stitch

14 September – 24 November | Tuesday 9.30am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

17 September – 26 November | Thursday 9.30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Contact Us

For more information and to enrol on any of our courses please contact a member of our team below.

Shabana Farooq
Community Engagement Coordinator
High Wycombe

Call or text: 07977 611576

cldevteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Debbie Garwood
Community Engagement Officer
Aylesbury and Chesham

Call or text: 07770 802497

cldevteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Clare Francis
Community Engagement Officer
High Wycombe

Call or text: 07971 981985

cldevteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

What our learners say

I found the short course on getting to know my digital devices very interesting and helpful, it has helped me browse the internet on my phone and tablet confidently ensuring I stay safe online.

 

I am very grateful for all your help on the digital skills course at Chesham. At the start I didn’t know how to turn on the computer and I have now improved, am more confident and work independently.

 

Its amazing how much you need maths in your cooking. I have gained more confidence and have experimented more at home, I also have learned more tips on flavouring, this has been such a revelation.  I would love to do another course in the future.

 

I am thoroughly enjoying all the courses and would recommend everyone to see if there is a course for them. It is a great social place where you can go and learn new skills. Everyone is friendly and helpful

Next Steps

We talk to you about what you want to do next – maybe you would like advice on getting a qualification in maths, English or digital skills or a vocational qualification from our wide range of Distance Learning courses. Or maybe you would like to talk to a careers advisor about volunteering or job opportunities.

Click on these links for further information on English, maths and Digital Skills courses.

Information on the National Careers Service

Useful Links

Fairhive Community Hub

Every Tuesday at the Vineyard Church, Aylesbury.

You don’t need to be a Fairhive resident to come to the Hub for advice and support.

Careers Springboard

A free job club for Managers, Professionals and Graduates actively seeking work.

Careers Springboard is a registered charity which offers help and support during your job search. We provide free employment support services for people living in the Chilterns, South Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas, but also welcome people from further afield.