Independent Living

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone who is interested in using nutrition to improve their general health and well-being naturally.

What will I learn?

• To identify and explain the food groups
• Explain and identify the different vitamins and minerals found in food
• To improve your immune system by eating the right food
• How the digestive system works
• To choose foods that heal and avoid foods that kill
• To pick your 5 fruit and vegetables
• To create smoothies that may improve everyday ailments by reducing inflammation
• To read a food label with confidence
• To identify herbal teas that improve your health

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

Folder, notebook, apron, gloves, pen, notebook, phone

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Gain knowledge of how to improve your wellbeing by being creative with your 5 a day
• Work within your budget and still buy food of high quality
• Develop basic practical skills in preparing fruit and vegetables for blending
• Use your ICT skills to research recipes for smoothies and balanced meals
• Improve your confidence in working as part of a group

Course requirements:

• A strong interest in food and nutrition to improve your quality of life
• Enjoy being in a group
• Commit to come to class every week
• Use basic ICT skills.

Location:

Strand House, Thornton Heath

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who would like to work outdoors planting their own fruit, vegetables and flowers and tasting what they grow.

What will I learn?

To make your own compost and use tools safely. To grow plants in soil and in water.  To save your own seeds and to grow flowers and vegetables from seeds.

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

Folder, pen, gardening gloves. Something for the compost bin each week.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• improve your physical and mental health
• develop your skills and confidence in growing plants at home
• improve your writing and maths skills
• build friendships with other learners

Course requirements:

There are no special requirements for entry on to this course.

Location:

MHA, The Wilderness: 17 Shirley Church Rd, Croydon CR9 5AL

Who is this course for?

This 15 week course is for learners who would like to improve their general well-being in mind and body. You will develop flexibility and strength, improve your posture and learn ways to relax through different breathing techniques. Exercises will be based around Chair Yoga, and you will work within your own ability and at your own pace. You will also learn how to use yoga props such as belts and blocks to support you in your yoga practise. Each session will finish with a simple relaxation or meditation.

What will I learn?

• How to practise simple chair based yoga exercises that will help develop flexibility , strength and balance.
• Use the breath in different ways to help you relax and refresh
  Improve your posture.
• Participate in a simple meditation or relaxation technique to help you feel calm and peaceful.
• Identify simple exercises you can practise at home if you wish.

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A yoga mat if you have one and wear loose clothing.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Develop your physical and mental wellbeing through a range of different exercises.
• Improve your posture and confidence.
• Gain a general feeling of improved health.
• Learn ways to calm, relax and refresh by using simple breathing exercises.
• Meet new people, develop social skills and make friends.
• Develop life skills – following instructions, time management, managing your own learning, participating in group activities/group discussion and assessing your own progress.

Course requirements:

There are no special requirements for this course and it is open to all.

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This Course is for learners who want to learn how to knit or learn new knitting techniques.

What will I learn?

• Develop new skills in knitting
• Learn different techniques
• Make items that you will use

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A folder, pen and pencil and chunky yarn (wool).

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• learn how to make new things using different skills
• create your own blanket
• be in a relaxed environment which will help with your well-being
• You will have fun!

Course requirements:

To be considered for this course you must be able to

• Follow simple instructions
• Be willing to listen and want to learn

Location:

Strand House, Thornton Heath

Who is this course for?

The course is for learners who want to improve their digital photo skills and take photos as a hobby.

What will I learn?

• Take photos and make videos with smart phone/iPad and tablets
• Upload and download photos and videos
• Share your photos and videos
• Keep the nice memories of your photos

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A smartphone or tablet, folder, pen and inquiring mind.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Develop confidence – being able to capture beautiful scenes
• Motivation – enjoying capturing the memories
• Develop knowledge – of taking good photos and sharing them digitally

Course requirements:

This course is for learners new to digital photography.

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who would like to design and make mosaics. The course is suitable for beginners and more experienced learners, who want to develop their mosaic skills through working on their own more challenging projects.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to make a range of mosaics projects using the correct equipment and following health and safety rules.

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

All the necessary equipment will be provided for you to complete this course.

How will this course benefit me?

You will develop:

• communication skills and confidence, and increase your well-being and sense of achievement through the creative process
• your literacy and numeracy skills through various activities – group discussions, quizzes, using shapes, sorting colours, tiles, and textures, and recording your own progress
• your design skills and use of colour, pattern and shape
• the ability to evaluate your own progress and move forward in your work

Course requirements:

There are no special requirements for entry on to this course.

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who would like to like to sing music, play some rhythms, share musical ideas and preferences and would like to record music or play back.

What will I learn?

• Singing 
• Playing percussion (hitting instruments)
• Making instruments
• Recording music
• Group skills
• Listening skills
• Developing self-confidence

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A folder to keep lyrics and notes in.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Develop listening skills
• Develop communication (group and turn-taking skills)
• Have fun singing songs and talking about music you like.
• Develop your inner-confidence, self-esteem and voice.
• Make friends

Course requirements:

There are no entry requirements and you do not need to think of yourself as a good singer, BUT an interest in music would be helpful.

Location:

Croydon Clocktower

Who is this course for?

This course is for creative and imaginative people who would like to listen to and make up stories and then turn them into a film for show to family and friends. It is for people who feel they need their self-confidence and communication skills improved. You will create and express yourself in a safe and supportive environment.

What will I learn?

• To write a short story using workshops and acting skills turning this into a film.
• Identify and plan what goes into a story (character, place, action, narrative structure).
• Act using your face, body and voice, expressing a range of emotions and meanings.
• Use technology to film.
• Direct a little: leading individuals or groups of people, or where best to put cameras when making a film.
• Use different practical skills: acting, using non-verbal communication to make meaning (body language, gesture, facial expression) group skills, listening skills, developing Self-confidence.
• Literacy skills: you do not need to be able to write (the tutor can help you communicate and write a story in other ways), but if you can, you can develop your writing and planning, text-review and communication skills when putting together your work as part of a team.
• Make your voice and ideas heard and valued.
• Perform on camera: as part of a group, in pairs, and provide feedback

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A folder to keep any papers we use to plan.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Develop listening skills
• Develop communication (non-verbal, and turn-taking skills)
• Have fun performing on film
• Have fun creating a piece of drama
• Develop your inner-confidence, self-esteem and voice
• Make friends
• Get fit! (It’s quite an active class)

Course requirements:

There are no entry requirements: open to those who can communicate with words, gestures, facial expressions, or other signs, and to those who can’t.

Location:

Croydon Clocktower

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who would like to improve their fitness, learn more about their environment, become more confident and have fun.

What will I learn?

• How to keep yourself safe walking in different environments and conditions.
• What to wear and what to bring on a ramble.
• How to use spotter sheets to identify different plants and wildlife during the different seasons.
• To track your walk your walk using an app or a smartwatch.

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A hands free rucksack, bottle of water, healthy snack, (optional) packet of tissues, hand sanitiser and face mask.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing
• lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
• increase your stamina
• develop your knowledge of plants and animals
• feel less stressed and sleep better
• build friendships with other learners

Course requirements:

You must be able to walk outdoors for up to three hours without access to toilets.  You must be able to travel on public transport with or without support.

Location:

Out and about, meet up at Croydon Clocktower

Who is this course for?

• This course is for learners who want to learn about Fashion (what looks good on you for your body shape)
• Learners who want to learn about self-care (how to wash your hair, comb your hair, personal hygiene ( what sprays / roll on work best for you) Keeping our teeth healthy
• Learners who want to learn how to look after your body (making the right choices when eating foods)
• Learners who want to gain knowledge about looking after their skin and nails

What will I learn?

• You will Learn how to keep your teeth, skin, nails and Hair Healthy
• How to look after your body and mind
• How to be confident when choosing clothes
• How to make the right choices when choosing foods (most of the time!)

What will I need to bring with me to the course?

A small table mirror, a folder, a pen and a pencil and cotton wool pads.

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• be more confident when choosing clothes in the shops
• develop your own style
• be able to do new styles with your hair
• make healthy food choices (become healthier)
• have a better understanding of care products

Course requirements:

To be considered for this course you must be able to:

• Follow simple instructions
• Travel Independently ( we will be taking short trips to the shops)
• Be willing to listen and learn

Location:

Strand House, Thornton Heath