Get the Nation Learning Week 2026: free skills sessions to try this November

A new skill can begin with a single afternoon. Get the Nation Learning Week runs from 2 to 6 November 2026, with opportunities to try practical courses, meet people locally and join free sessions from home.

Led by the Learning and Work Institute’s campaign, the week celebrates learning throughout adult life. For someone settling into a new area, it offers a friendly starting point: choose something useful or enjoyable, spend a little time with it, and see where it leads.

Illustrative workshop photograph by Centre for Ageing Better, published in September 2022. This is not a photograph of the 2026 programme. Released as public-domain imagery through Unsplash. Cropped for display.

Try practical skills in Bury

Bury Adult Learning Service’s free tasters connect learning with everyday life and work. Steps to Employment takes place on Monday 2 November, 10am to noon, at The Hub in the Millgate Shopping Centre. An English and maths drop-in follows there from 1pm to 3pm.

On Tuesday 3 November, AI for Everyday Life runs at The Hub from 10am to noon. Wednesday brings an introduction to catering and hospitality at Bury Adult Learning Centre, from 9.30am to noon. The programme also includes sessions on managing household costs and creative collage.

To enrol or ask about a session, call the service on 0161 253 5772. These short introductions are a way to explore an interest before choosing a longer course.

Make something new in Cornwall

Cornwall’s programme puts creative activities alongside practical digital skills. On Tuesday 3 November, Bodmin Adult Learning Centre offers Spanish for Wellbeing from 9.30am to 11.30am and Autumn Art for Wellbeing from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

At Falmouth Adult Education, try pottery on Tuesday 3 November, 2pm to 4pm, or Getting Started with Music Technology on Thursday 5 November at the same time. Bude’s smartphone photography session runs on Friday 6 November, 9.30am to 11.30am.

The council describes these beginner sessions as free and open to everyone, with no previous experience needed. Book a place in advance through the council’s course link or by calling 0300 1231 117.

Illustrative adult-learning photograph by Centre for Ageing Better, published in January 2023. Not a 2026 programme photograph. Released as public-domain imagery through Unsplash. Cropped for display.

Join a session from home

Oxford Professional Education is offering four free online webinars, open to anyone interested in learning something useful for work. The published programme and registration links cover press releases on Monday 2 November, productivity on Tuesday 3 November, everyday workplace AI on Wednesday 4 November, and lessons from employment tribunals on Thursday 5 November.

The productivity webinar runs from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. The other three run from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. All times are UK local time.

For a different digital introduction, VIA Learning Hub lists a free beginner online-shopping workshop with Three Discovery on Wednesday 4 November at 4pm. It covers shopping apps, payments and app security. The course page lists it as free for all users and provides booking details.

Find your starting point

You do not need a complete study plan to make the most of the week. Pick one session that fits a goal, whether that means feeling more comfortable with technology, exploring a career idea or meeting others through a hobby.

The examples above are local and online opportunities, rather than a complete national timetable. Your council’s adult-learning service or local college may have more nearby. For the wider picture of settling in, explore our moving to the UK guide.