Independent Living

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for beginners and those with more experience, who would like to express their creativity through the art of making mosaics. Learn about colour, shape, pattern and sequence through mosaic making, and create personal mosaic projects over a longer period of time, using a range of tiles and textures – ceramic, glass, and recycled items in a workshop environment.

What will I learn?

You will learn:

• How to prepare the surface for your mosaic
• To follow correct health and safety guidelines when making mosaics
• To design your mosaic
• How to research your ideas using the computer /books/imagination
• How to use different mosaic tiles, textures, colours and shapes
• How to use tile cutters safely
• How to grout your finished mosaic

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Express yourself through personal mosaic projects
• Explore your imagination
• Learn new skills
• Develop maths skills through shape, pattern and sequence
• Develop communication skills and confidence through group discussion
• Develop planning skills as you plan your work each week
• Meet new people and build friendships with others
• Gain a sense of achievement through completed projects
• Increase your wellbeing
• Make mosaics that you can take home and keep for yourself or offer as gifts

Entry requirements:

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

• Show interest in the subject
• Commit to coming to class each week
• Follow simple instructions
• Follow health and safety instructions (wearing goggles when cutting tiles, wear a mask and gloves when grouting)

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for people who enjoy listening to music and would like to either sing or take part on group music-making (with voice, action or percussion).

What will I learn?

• About the importance of your own and others’ music choices
• Playing musical tunes and rhythms (how to tune your voice and ‘do music’ in time)
• About body percussion and playing music that is simple and all around us.
• About recording music (we will produce an online album of work)
• Listening to each other as part of a group
• About reading and understanding musical words
• About world music and different types of music (we don’t just look at pop music)
• How to perform and use your voice to express meaning in music.
• About performing clearly and loudly (we may perform to a small internal audience of friends and family, but you do not have to perform if you don’t want to)
• How to be self-critical (of your own singing and performing)

How will this course benefit me?

You will:

• Develop your well-being (music is good for your mental health).
• Develop group and interaction and listening skills (music is all about listening and communication)
• Get active (singing and body percussion in particular is a physical activity)
• You will develop your self-confidence and self-esteem
• You will enjoy being part of a happy musical band
• You will have pride in your performance and recordings of your music
• You may develop your music creativity (with song-writing).

Entry requirements:

You need no musical skill. But you need an interest in music (any type at all). We work together. An ability to use words and your voice to express is preferable, but this is a safe and comfortable learning environment and you will never be made to feel uncomfortable or be put on the spot to perform to the tutor, your classmates or to an audience. You can, should you wish, simply come along and participate in the group.

• If you play an instrument bring it along (if it’s the piano, then we have one!!)
• Commit to coming to class each week and on time!

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

• Learners that want to know more about food and nutrition
• Learners that want to know about making healthy food choices
• Learners who enjoy making easy, simple, healthy foods
• Anyone that has an interest in learning about healthy foods

What will I learn?

• What Nutrition is and what to look for on food packets.
• You will learn to choose foods that are healthy.
• How to eat things in moderation.
• How to make simple but healthy meals.

How will this course benefit me?

• Healthier eating habits (making healthy choices).
• More energy, by following a healthy eating plan.
• Better mood, with good nutrition.
• Weight management (how to keep a healthy weight).
• Food safety and hygiene

Entry Requirements:

• To be considered for this course you, you must be able to:
• Be ready and willing to learn.
• Come to class every week and on time.
• Be willing to use what you have learned outside of class.
• Show at least three healthy meals you eat every week.
• Have basic kitchen skills.

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

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

What will I learn?

• What to wear and what to bring on a ramble
• How to keep yourself safe walking in different environments and conditions
• To track your walk using an app and estimate distance walked at different stages of the walk
• To use spotter sheets to identify different plants and wildlife during the different seasons

How will this course benefit me?

• Experience a variety of walks in the local area
• Improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing
• Become more aware of the sights, smells, movement and sounds on your walks
• Increase your stamina
• Develop your knowledge of flowers and plants
• Learn to work towards goals
• Identify and use correct health and safety procedures needed for walking in different environments
• Feel less stressed and sleep better
• Build friendships with other learners

Entry Requirements:

• To be considered for this course you must be able to:
• Wear suitable clothes for rambling each week
• Follow instructions to keep safe on the rambles
• Commit to come to class on time each week
• Be able to travel on public transport with support or independently
• Be able to walk at a moderate pace for up to three hours with a short break
• Walk without access to toilets for up to three hours

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Croydon Clocktower

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who would like to explore a wide variety of art works using different materials and techniques. Suitable for beginners and more experienced learners. Create individual artworks and work as part of a team to make a group project. Learn about different artists. Experiment with techniques such as painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, waxed papers, mindfulness in art making. Use your imagination to express yourself through a range of creative activities.

What will I learn?:

• How to use a variety of materials to explore making art
• How to make waxed papers and create a collage
• To create artwork using mindfulness techniques
• To use your imagination and express yourself through art making
• Work as part of a team to create a group project

How will this course benefit me?

• Express yourself through a range of different art techniques
• Explore a wide variety of art materials
• Develop teamwork skills
• Develop your imaginative skills
• Develop your creative skills
• Meet new people and build confidence around working with others
• Develop communication skills and confidence through group discussion
• Increase your wellbeing

Entry requirements:

• To be considered for this course you must be able to:
• Show interest in the subject
• Commit to coming to class each week
• Follow simple instructions

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who want to get fit and have fun along the way.

What will I learn?

• You will learn healthy eating habits
• Different dances
• How to keep track of your weight safely
• Healthy recipes

How will this course benefit me?

• You will make healthy food choices
• Have fun dancing and keeping your heart healthy
• Make new friendships
• Learn interesting things every week about dancing for fitness
• Become a more confident you

Entry Requirements:

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

• Arrive to class on time every week
• Always be ready to learn
• Be able to follow simple instructions

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who would like to explore using colour, shape and pattern with fabric, suitable for beginners and the more experienced. Learners will experiment with dyes, different print techniques, stitch, and decorative elements to create personal textile projects. Use your imagination and develop your ideas to create useful textile items and decorative art pieces.

What will I learn?

• How to mix a range of colours for fabric painting/printing
• How to use different techniques to apply colour, shape and pattern onto fabric
• To make simple stitches by hand
• To use the sewing machine with support
• How to add decorative elements such as coloured foils to your fabric

How will this course benefit me?

• Express yourself through creative textile making
• Develop design skills using colour, shape and pattern
• Improve hand and eye co-ordination through hand sewing
• Develop your imagination through personal projects
• Develop communication skills through group discussion
• Meet new people and build confidence
• Increase your wellbeing

Entry requirements:

• To be considered for this course you must be able to:
• Show an interest in the subject
• Commit to attend each week
• Follow simple instructions

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who want to improve their confidence in managing their mental wellbeing for a healthy lifestyle.

What will I learn?

• What a healthy mind is
• How you can maintain and develop it
• A basic introduction to Mindfulness and how it can help us in everyday life
• What the aspects of wellbeing are
• How to grow our ability to be well
• How to be kind to others and ourselves
• How to identify and handle different emotions
  

  How will this course benefit me?

• You will develop everyday strategies to look after your mind and general health
• You will develop the confidence to form and manage relationships with others
• This course will improve your problem-solving, speaking and listening skills and employability skills.

Entry requirements:

This course is open to all learners

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

New Addington

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who want to improve their confidence in managing their physical wellbeing for a healthy lifestyle.

What will I learn?

• What is a healthy body?
• How can I maintain and develop it?
• A basic introduction to BMI and the NHS Eatwell Plate guidance for healthy eating
• The importance of regular exercise to combat obesity and maintain health
  

  How will this course benefit me?

• You will develop everyday strategies to look after your body, including tracking your weight and understanding the importance of different food groups.
• You will develop the confidence to take part in a weekly 30-minute gentle exercise session
• You will be supported to make healthy swaps and improvements to your eating, drinking and sleep habits.
• This course will improve your problem-solving, speaking and listening skills and employability skills.

Entry requirements:

This course is open to all learners

Assessment:

The course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

New Addington

Who are these courses for?

Learners who would like to make friends, get fit, be creative and have fun by dancing with others

What will I learn?

• How dancing helps your body and mind
• About 6 key areas of fitness to develop through dance
• The importance of hydration for dance
• How to refine moves and skills to perform in dances
• Exploring creativity in creating new movement for dances
• Performing own movement choices and those of others

How will this course benefit me?

• Gain confidence
• Build friendships
• Improve health and fitness
• Express yourself

Entry Requirements:

This course is open to all learners

Assessment:

The course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

New Addington

Who is this course for?

This course, suitable for all levels, is for learners who would like to improve their mental and physical wellbeing and health through gentle movements, stretching and breathing exercises. You will become more aware of your body, and work at your own pace to develop strength, flexibility and co-ordination. This short course during the summer months and lighter evenings will help you relax at the end of the day and refresh you for the following week.

What will I learn?

• Different ways to move and stretch with Chair based yoga
• How to use blocks and belts to support your yoga practise
• How to use different breathing techniques to relax and refresh
• Awareness of your body, how it can move, the shapes it can make
• To find stillness and calm through relaxation and meditation
• Breathing exercises that you can do at home

How will this course benefit me?

• Improve your mobility, strength, balance and co ordination
• Increase your overall wellbeing and health
• Improve your breathing technique
• Set a personal goal, progress and feel a sense of achievement
• Gain confidence by working as part of a group and individually
• Be able to practise skills learnt in the classroom at home
• Meet people and build positive relationships with others

Entry requirements:

• To be considered for this course you must be able to:
• Show an interest in the subject
• Commit to come to class each week
• Follow simple instructions

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners that want to learn the art of nail painting!

What will I learn?

• Social skills
• How to communicate with others
• Basic customers service skills
• How to look after you nails
• Skin health
• How to do hand massage

How will this course benefit me?

• You will learn manicure techniques
• You will learn hand massage techniques
• You will have fun practicing on friends
• You will build confidence by communicating with others

Entry Requirements:

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

• Be punctual (arrive on time for every lesson)
• Be ready and willing to learn
• Be respectful at all times

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

Strand House

Who is this course for?

This course is for learners who enjoy making and creating puzzles.

What will I learn?

You will develop better memory skills and remember shapes, colours, positions to complete each puzzle you choose.

How will this course benefit me?

• This course will improve your general knowledge and problem-solving.
• Help develop your finger strength.
• Hand eye coordination
• Lower your stress levels.
• Improves your concentration.
• Increase your fine motor skills.
• Cognitive Skills-understand how the pieces go together.
• Feel excited once you have completed your puzzle!
• English Skills
• Improve your speaking and listening skills.
• Puzzles with letters and words to increase vocabulary and spelling knowledge.
• Improves language development.
• Communicate with others.

Entry requirements:

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

• Work towards Entry Level

Assessment:

The course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan

Location:

New Addington

Who is this course for?

This short course is for learners who want to improve their confidence in talking about and managing their experience of loss and for those wishing to support others.

What will I learn?

On this course, we will gently explore the themes of bereavement, grief and loss through a variety of practical and interactive activities. The sessions aim to support participants to understand and normalise bereavement, grief and loss in a supportive and caring environment.
On this course you will:

• Find out more about having feelings of grief and loss
• Explore ways to manage and talk about those feelings
• Contribute to our memory tree for the Calm Corner
• Participate in several art based creative workshop activities
• Join together with others to create a mutually supportive peer group
• How to identify and handle different emotions

How will this course benefit me?

• You will develop everyday strategies to manage the experience of loss
• You will develop the confidence and skills to talk about grief and loss
• You will have time and space to talk about those you have lost in a supportive environment

Entry requirements:

This course is open to all learners

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

New Addington

Who is this course for?

This course is for all learners who would like to enjoy, engage and interact with different aspects of appreciating and caring for our planet.

What will I learn?

• Explore what sustainability and protecting the environment means.
• What is climate change and how does it impact us?
• What are simple things I can do to protect our earth?
• Learn about sustainability in our food, energy and transport choices
• Talk about conserving water, recycling and using plastics
• Enjoy a nature walk and activities being outside in nature

How will this course benefit me?

• To learn about and understand the importance of developing helpful ways to enjoy and protect the planet
• To help establish new eco-habits that will make a difference to our world

Entry requirements:

This course is open to all learners

Assessment:

This course will be assessed by the completion of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Location:

The Wilderness Garden