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Learning Disabilities - Connect with Your Community: Art and Craft (First Step)

Learn how being creative can reduce stress, boost happiness, and create a space for social connection.

Course description

Get to know other people and interact with the community through art and crafts. Art is a safe space where we can experiment, take risks, and learn to fix our mistakes, helping us become more resilient. 

You will:

  • Meet other people with similar interests by working on projects like creating a group mosaic or participating in a shared art display.
  • Build confidence to talk to other learners about your ideas and artwork. Whether it's discussing your painted self-portrait or explaining the design of your handmade dream catcher.
  • Improve dexterity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Work on hands-on activities such as crafting a money box, sculpting with clay, or weaving a dream catcher.
  • Boost your self-esteem by turning your ideas into physical artwork. Whether it's through a personalised money box or a small sculpture. Giving you a sense of achievement and pride in your work.
  • Feel comfortable making mistakes and learn how to correct them. Try new techniques like slow stitching, eco printing, or painting, knowing that each step is part of the creative process.
  • Be a part of inclusive social spaces where you can interact with others while working on collaborative projects. Such as contributing to a group mosaic or participating in discussions during a painting session.
  • Take part in the art and crafts exhibition to share your work with the community. Whether it's a finished sculpture, a painting or drawing, or your hand-crafted dream catcher, allowing you to celebrate your progress and connect with others.

Course level

First Step - These courses are for complete beginners. You don't need to have studied the subject before or have any previous knowledge.

Who is this course for?

Residents of Calderdale aged 19+ who want to strengthen their role within their local community while learning and exploring a culture different to their own. 

First Step – The start of your learning journey. Explore how you can build your confidence, connect with others, and learn new skills to start achieving your goals. 

What do I need to bring?

You will use Google Classroom throughout your course to view work from your lessons, receive messages from your tutor, and access online resources. You can access this on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop/computer. Your tutor will support you to log-in during your first lesson, and the Learner Support team is always on hand to help with any issues. 

Skills for adults with learning disabilities

Course information

Start date: Various
Time: 10am to 12noon
Day: Wednesday
Venue: Heath Campus

Course length: 12 weeks
Course code: Various
Course level: First Step

Fees

Full fee: £120
Fee waiver available: No
Additional costs: No

Course dates and times

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Venue Course code Start date Day Time How to enrol
Heath Campus LD00303 10th September 2025 Wednesday 10am to 12noon Enrol now
Heath Campus LD00316 14th April 2026 Wednesday 10am to 12noon Enrol now

Additional information

Learning delivery method

We have the skills, resources and dedication to help you access the learning you need to enrich your life. Your course will be delivered by a highly qualified, experienced and knowledgeable tutor via classroom-based learning: face-to-face teaching at Heath Campus or other venue in Calderdale, combined with use of Google Classroom to access electronic learning resources, coursework set by your tutor, collaborative work and online sessions if required.

What will be expected of me?

Your course is either fully or co-funded by the government through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and all Calderdale Adult Learning (CAL) learning is subject to Ofsted inspection. As such you will be required to carry out various learning activities so that we can ensure you are making the expected progress. 

You may have to undertake additional work outside of session times to extend your learning or comprehension where applicable, and you are expected to be punctual, attend regularly and show commitment to achieve successful completion of the course. 

If your attendance drops below 88% or you have not attended three consecutive classes without informing CAL, you may lose your place.
 

How will I know if I am making progress?

An Initial Assessment activity at the start of the course will enable your tutor to assess your starting point. For non-accredited learning this will be completed using a set tutor assessment relevant to the subject area. For accredited courses this requires learners to complete an assessment on the BKSB learning platform. In every class we acknowledge and accommodate for different levels of skill and experience, so learners will be encouraged to identify and work on their own areas for improvement.

You will have a Learner Journey where, with your tutor, you will set the individual learning targets you would like to meet. Throughout the course you will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor, complete regular assessments and be given feedback (both verbally and written) on work produced.

Support for your progression and next steps

Please refer to the advice given to you by your course tutor towards the end of your course or speak to CAL’s IAG Officer for information on how you can progress. 

You can also visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/adultlearning to see the latest course opportunities available at CAL.  If you need support in literacy, numeracy, IT or employability skills please speak to your tutor in the first instance.

 

Information, advice and guidance

CAL Service has been awarded the matrix Standard, the national quality standard for organisations delivering IAG on learning and work.

CAL aims to help learners progress through their chosen course of study. Tutors, learning support staff and our IAG Officer are always available to give you support to help you decide whether a course is appropriate for you. If the course is not appropriate we will aim to put you in touch with an alternative provider. 

For more detailed and specific careers advice, we work in partnership with the Education Development Trust. You can email them at enquiries@educationdevelopmenttrust.com.  If you feel you would benefit from either an individual appointment with them, or a class visit, please ask your tutor in the first instance. 

You can also contact the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Their website is also an excellent source of information on careers, finding a job, courses and learning: National Careers Service.

Contact us

Calderdale Adult Learning
Heath Campus
Unit 4, Free School Lane
Halifax HX1 2PS

Telephone: 01422 392820
Email: cyps.cal@calderdale.gov.uk

Normal office hours: 
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm. 
Fridays 9am to 1pm.