Community Learning.
Your choice, your success, your future.
Explore our courses for adults aged 19+
Community learning Somerset provides a wide range of courses for adults to develop new interests, build confidence, and improve their skills, knowledge, and employability.
Types of community learning course
We offer courses covering topics such as:
- Engaging and/or building confidence.
- Preparation for further learning.
- Preparation for employment
- Improving essential skills like maths, English and digital skills
- Helping parents/carers to support children’s learning.
- Health and well-being.
- Developing stronger communities.
How community learning in Somerset can help you
Our Community Learning Somerset courses are designed to reduce loneliness and make people happier, healthier, more confident, capable, and resilient.
For example, many of our learners have found that increased confidence has helped them take control of their lives, move towards employment, and find a more fulfilling purpose.
Who we support
We work with all adults across Somerset, offering engaging and interesting courses in friendly and accessible community settings.
We listen to what people want and need and working with our partners, we aim to offer the right course in the right location at the right time.
Worried About Costs?
Good news! Most of our Community Learning courses are FREE for adults aged 19+ who meet the eligibility criteria.
Not sure if you qualify? We’re here to help — just ask!
Who can get a free place?
Eligibility criteria - Community Learning Full Fee Remission
Full fee remission
A 100% discount will be awarded should learners be able to evidence they fall into one of the priority areas:
- Learners who are homeless or in sheltered
- Learners who have a low income (earn less than £26,800 per annum), or are in receipt of one of the following state benefits:
- Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) including those who receiving National Insurance credits only.
- Employment and support Allowance (ESA); receive Universal Credit, and their take-home pay as recorded on their Universal Credit statement (disregarding Universal Credit payments and other benefits) is less than £494 a month (learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £782 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner).
- Learners with Refugee
- An Asylum Seeker in receipt of the equivalent of an income-based state
- Released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice.
- Served in the UK forces
- Learners yet to achieve their first full Level 2
- Learners yet to achieve a Level 2 in English and/or maths
- Learners yet to achieve a Level 1 in IT
- Learners with a mental health condition
The Council may grant permission to remove the requirement to pay fees for all learners on a course on evidence of a valid reason
The Policy will be advertised on each CLP subcontractor’s website and copies available in classroom settings where appropriate.
Find Community Learning Courses
In short, whether you’re looking to learn something new, boost your skills, or meet like-minded people, there’s something for everyone.
Explore a wide range of Community Learning courses available near you.
Meet the team.
Beccy Brown
Project Lead for Community Learning (CL)
Andy Norris
Community Learning Partnership Manager and Widening Participation Lead
Stephanie Dingle
Project Manager Compliance
Michelle Armstrong
Quality and Compliance
Aimee Cordioli
Admin Project Lead
Jude White
Administration Assistant
