If you would like to explore your interests, try something new or just want to meet new people and have fun Boston College offers a wide and varied range of Adult Bite Size courses.
Our Adult Bite Size courses are fun, practical non-accredited courses, which can run from a couple of hours during a single day to a few sessions over a number of weeks. The courses cost no more than £60, with some being FREE.
Location Key
B | Boston Campus (Rochford)
PPPC | Peter Paine Performance Centre
S | Spalding Campus
H | Horncastle Campus
HH | Haven High Academy
SL | Voluntary Centre Services, Sleaford
March 2023 - Employment and Skills Bite-Size Courses
First Aid Awareness (B,S)
This First Aid Awareness course will give you the opportunity to refresh your current skills or learn new ones. The course will cover areas such as CPR and safe use of an AED, how to deal with a choking casualty, and recognition and help for other illnesses for example heart attacks and anaphylaxis etc.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Thursday 30th March 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm our Spalding Campus.
Or, starting on Friday 31st March 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm, at our Boston Campus
Cost: Free
April 2023
How to be creative in Textiles (S)
This course will teach you a range of decorative techniques that can be applied to any textile project. You will get the opportunity to apply some of the techniques taught to a project as part of the course. The project will be a cushion with a zipper or button fastening. There are 5 weekly session that make up the course, detailed below:
Week 1 - Shadow applique and reverse applique.
Week 2 - Fabric manipulation techniques.
Week 3 - 3D fabric flowers and designing a cushion.
Week 4 - Apply decoration to a cushion front.
Week 5 - Apply a zip or buttons and completing the cushion.
Attendance: This course will take you 10 hours to complete over 5 sessions. Starting on Wednesday 19th April 2023, 10:00am – 12:00pm at our Spalding Campus
Cost: Free
Introduction to British Sign Language (B)
This course will cover many introductory aspects of British Sign Language including:
- The alphabet and finger spelling
- Greetings
- The weather
- Numbers and counting
- Using past, present and future tenses
- Basic facial expressions
You will also have practice conversations with the tutor as well as covering what the deaf community use for home life needs and how to contact people like using text and video relay.
This course could lead on to an accredited British Sign Language course running on 18th May for those that wish to continue.
Attendance: This course will take you 12 hours to complete over 4 sessions. Starting Thursday 20th April 2023, 5:00pm – 8:00pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Introduction to Counselling (H)
An overview of the communication skills required in counselling.
Attendance: This course will take you 12 hours to complete over 6 sessions. Starting on Friday 28th April 2023, 9:30am – 11:30am at our Horncastle Campus
Cost: Free
April 2023 - Employment and Skills Bite-Size Courses
IT in the Workplace (S)
IT Skills is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment.
The course will cover a variety of Level 1 IT Skills units to help you improve your computing and IT knowledge including:
- Word Processing Level 1: Using MS Word
- Spreadsheets Level 1: Using MS Excel
- Using the Internet Level 1: Using Search Engines
- Using Emails Level 1: Using Email platforms
- Presentation Skills Level 1: Using PowerPoint
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Tuesday 4th April 2023, 9:30am – 4:30pm at our Spalding Campus.
Cost: Free
Basic ICT (H,B,S)
Our Basic IT Skills course is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment. During the Basic IT Skills course, you will study Basic IT including –
- Word processing, producing documents
- Saving and printing
- E-mails including uploading documents
- Internet, searching
You can then progress to study the IT Skills Accredited NOCN Units Level 1 course.
Attendance: This course will take you 15 hours to complete over 5 sessions. Starting on Tuesday 18th April 2023, 9:30am – 12:30pm, at our Horncastle Campus
Or, this course will take you 16 hours to complete over 4 session. Starting on Monday 24th April 2023, 9:30am – 1:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Or, this course will take you 15 hours to complete over 5 sessions. Starting on Friday Tuesday 25th April 2023, 9:00am – 12:00pm, at our Spalding Campus
Cost: Free
Mindfulness and Meditation (B)
This course will introduce you to the basics of mindfulness and meditation; where does it originate from, what it is and how to do it. We will also practice some basic mindful breathing techniques to help start your mindful practice.
This course will introduce you to different meditation and relaxation techniques that you can practise and develop into your own daily routine. Mindfulness and Meditation has been scientifically proven to manage stress.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Monday 24th April 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Understanding Emotional Intelligence (B,S)
During this course, we will examine the skills needed to grow and improve our emotional intelligence. We will study our emotions, what they are, how they can affect us and others around us. What triggers our reactions and how can we learn to manage our emotions better by learning to respond rather than react to different situations.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Monday 17th April 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Or, starting on Tuesday 18th April 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm, at our Spalding Campus
Cost: Free
Understanding Confidence and Stress (S)
The Confidence and Stress course will help you understand the impact and benefits of being confident and identify the factors that affect people’s confidence and self-esteem. The course will also show you what is stress to the individual and the possible causes of stress, and is the cause within our control?
Attendance: This course will take you 12 hours to complete over 2 session. Stating on Tuesday 25th April 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Spalding Campus.
Cost: Free
May 2023
Choosing the Right Care (B,H)
How do you decide when the time is right to move into a care home, is this your only choice? How do I choose a care home, how do I know it's the right one? "I want to stay at home" Can you stay at home with some support? What are your wishes when nearing the end of your life - Advanced Care plans, Living Will, LPOA, Respect, DNACPR so many forms what are they for
This course will help you gain awareness of what services are available for yourself, a loved one or a friend when help is needed, it will develop your understanding of what services are available to support you. We will explain the jargon and ease the stress. Everyone has a choice, this course will give you the knowledge you need to ensure your choices are informed.
Attendance: This course will take you 3 hours to complete over 1session. Starting Tuesday 4th May 2023, 9:30am - 12:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Or, starting Thursday 11th May 2023, 9:30am – 12:30pm at our Horncastle Campus
Cost: Free
Introduction to the Role of a Teaching Assistant (B,S,H)
This Introduction to the role of a Teaching Assistant course is aimed at those interested in a career in becoming a teaching assistant or learning support in an educational setting. You may be volunteering or starting to work in schools or even just considering this professional pathway.
Completion of this course will give you a deeper understanding of the role of a teaching assistant or learning support and will encourage you to consider what the role entails. You will have fun, hands on activities and it may help you progress to a career in Supporting Teaching and Learning.
Attendance: This course will take you 5 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Friday 5th May 2023, 9:30am- 3:00pm at our Spalding Campus
Or, starting Monday 15th May 2023, 9:30am- 3:00pm at our Horncastle Campus
Or, starting Monday 22nd May 2023, 9:30am- 3:00pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Personal Safety and Self Defence for Women (PPPC)
Designed to cater for the safety needs of women, this course is intended to empower women physically and psychologically with the necessary skills to protect themselves from potentially dangerous situations.
You will cover the following:
- Basic self-defence techniques
- How to diffuse potentially dangerous situations
- Know your legal rights and policies that protect you
- Gains lots of hands-on practice
- Develop your self-confidence
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 3 sessions. Starting on Tuesday 9th May 2023, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at our Peter Paine Performance Centre.
Cost: Free
Re-Energise Yourself (PPPC)
This course provides an introduction to wellness and wellbeing including essential nutrition, planning your food, stress management strategies and how wellness links to motivation and productivity in the workplace and in your personal life.
Attendance: This course will take you 3 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Wednesday 10th May 2023, 4:00pm – 7:00pm at our Peter Paine Performance Centre.
Cost: Free
Give your Child the Best Start in Early Years (B)
This short course will be delivered over two workshops and is aimed at the whole nursery Early Years setting and community. The sessions will cover how settings can engage with parents and staff and take them on the Ofsted journey with them as well as how they are able to prepare for the Learning walk with their Ofsted inspector.
We hope to encourage all to share their experiences and support with ideas and thoughts of how to become Ofsted ready.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 2 sessions. Starting on Wednesday 10th May 2023, 6:00pm – 9:00pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
May 2023 - Employment and Skills Bite Size Courses
First Aid Awareness (H)
This First Aid Awareness course will give you the opportunity to refresh your current skills or learn new ones. The course will cover areas such as CPR and safe use of an AED, how to deal with a choking casualty, and recognition and help for other illnesses for example heart attacks and anaphylaxis etc.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Wednesday 17th May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Horncastle Campus.
Cost: Free
IT in the Workplace (B)
IT Skills is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment.
The course will cover a variety of Level 1 IT Skills units to help you improve your computing and IT knowledge including:
-Word Processing Level 1 – Using MS Word
-Spreadsheets Level 1- Using MS Excel
-Using the Internet Level 1 - Using Search Engines
-Using Emails Level 1- Using Email platforms
-Presentation Skills Level 1 – Using PowerPoint
Attendance: This Course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting Monday 22nd May 2023, 9:30am and 4:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford).
Cost: Free
Mental Health First Aid (B,S,H)
This course looks at the role of a mental health first aider as a point of contact to support people who maybe struggling with their own Mental Health issues. During the course we will look at the skills needed to actively listen without judgement, to give reassurance and encouragement for self-help and to know where to refer people who need professional support.
Attendance:
This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Monday 15th May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Horncastle Campus
Or, starting on Monday 22nd May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Or, starting on Tuesday 30th May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Spalding Campus
Cost Free
Mindfulness and Meditation (S)
This course will introduce you to the basics of mindfulness and meditation; where does it originate from, what it is and how to do it. We will also practice some basic mindful breathing techniques to help start your mindful practice.
This course will introduce you to different meditation and relaxation techniques that you can practise and develop into your own daily routine. Mindfulness and Meditation has been scientifically proven to manage stress.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Tuesday 23rd May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Spalding Campus
Cost Free
Confidence and Assertiveness (H)
The Confidence and Assertiveness course will help you understand the impact and benefits of being confident and identify the factors that affect people’s confidence and self-esteem.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Tuesday 16th May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Horncastle Campus.
Cost: Free
Confidence and Self Esteem (H)
The Confidence and Self Esteem course will help you understand the impact and benefits of being confident and identify the factors that affect people’s confidence and self-esteem.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Stating on Tuesday 9th May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Horncastle Campus.
Cost: Free
Stress and Stress Management (H)
This course will show you what is stress to the individual and the possible causes of stress, and is the cause within our control?
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Stating on Wednesday 10th May 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Horncastle Campus.
Cost: Free
Basic ICT (H)
Our Basic IT Skills course is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment. During the Basic IT Skills course, you will study Basic IT including –
- Word processing – producing documents
- Saving and printing
- E-mails including uploading documents
- Internet – searching
You can then progress to study the IT Skills Accredited NOCN Units Level 1 course.
Attendance: This course will take you 16 hours to complete over 4 session. Starting Wednesday 17th May 2023, 9:30am – 1:30pm at our Horncastle Campus
Cost: Free
June 2023
Children's Development and Wellbeing from 0-19 (B)
This course aims to give the learner an understanding of how children and young people develop, and how to support their wellbeing from 0-19.
Attendance: This course will take you 10 hours to complete over 2 sessions. Starting on Monday 19th June 2023, 9:30am – 3:00pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
How to Support your Children's Learning and Development at Home (B)
This course aims to provide the learner with an awareness of how to support your child's development at home.
Attendance: This course will take you 10 hours to complete over 2 sessions. Starting on Monday 12th June 2023, 9:30am – 3:00pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Choosing the Right Care (S)
How do you decide when the time is right to move into a care home, is this your only choice? How do I choose a care home, how do I know it's the right one? "I want to stay at home" Can you stay at home with some support? What are your wishes when nearing the end of your life - Advanced Care plans, Living Will, LPOA, Respect, DNACPR so many forms what are they for
This course will help you gain awareness of what services are available for yourself, a loved one or a friend when help is needed, it will develop your understanding of what services are available to support you. We will explain the jargon and ease the stress. Everyone has a choice, this course will give you the knowledge you need to ensure your choices are informed.
Attendance: This course will take you 3 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting on Tuesday 6th June 2023, 9:30am – 12:30pm at our Spalding Campus
Cost: Free
Technical Language for Accountancy (B)
This Technical Language for Accounting course is being offered free, to help with the terminology that you may come across on the Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting.
Technical Language for Level 2 Accounting will particularly suit those who have had no accounting experience and have no qualifications in Maths or English. It would also suit those learners who have English as a second language and need more support. This course would also suit those learners who have completed any of the Level 1 AAT courses and are looking to progress further with the AAT.
This qualification may interest those who are wishing to begin a self-employed career or are thinking about a career change into the business/finance field.
Attendance: This course will take you 12 hours over 3 sessions. Starting on Thursday 22nd of June 2023, 10:00am – 2:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Beginners Dressmaking (S)
This course is ideal for beginners and will provide you with an introduction to the sewing machine, needles, and fabrics.
You will learn what the different stitches on the machine do and complete samples of hems, buttonholes, and seams. You will learn two types of zip placements and how to applique so that you can make your very own tote bag.
You will need to bring your own sewing machine, scissors (both for paper and fabric) pins, thread, and general sewing items. We will supply the fabric.
Attendance: This course will take you 12 hour to complete over 6 sessions. Staring Wednesday 7th June 2023, 10:00am - 12:00pm at our Spalding Campus
Cost: Free
Confidence for Functional Skills (B,S)
If you are thinking of doing a Functional Skills qualification then this course is for you. Get yourself ready to study again by doing our 5-week course to renew your confidence in number work.
Join our friendly, supportive staff over 4 weeks and take that first step to a new course. All materials are supplied including access to the Centurytech online learning services.
Attendance: Confidence for Functional Skills will take you 4 weeks to complete. Starting Monday 5th June 2023, 6:00pm to 8:00pm at our Spalding Campus
Or starting Wednesday 7th June 2023, 12:30pm to 2:30pm at Centenary Church Hall – Boston
Cost: Free
June 2023 - Employment and Skills Bite Size Courses
Basic ICT (B)
Our Basic IT Skills course is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment. During the Basic IT Skills course, you will study Basic IT including –
- Word processing – producing documents
- Saving and printing
- E-mails including uploading documents
- Internet – searching
You can then progress to study the IT Skills Accredited NOCN Units Level 1 course.
Attendance: This course will take you 16 hours to complete over 4 session. Starting Monday 5th June 2023, 9:30am – 1:30pm at our Boston Campus(Rochford)
Cost: Free
IT in the Workplace (S)
IT Skills is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment.
The course will cover a variety of Level 1 IT Skills units to help you improve your computing and IT knowledge including:
- Word Processing Level 1: Using MS Word
- Spreadsheets Level 1: Using MS Excel
- Using the Internet Level 1: Using Search Engines
- Using Emails Level 1: Using Email platforms
- Presentation Skills Level 1: Using PowerPoint
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 2 session. Starting Tuesday 6th June 2023, 9:00am – 12:00pm at our Spalding Campus
Cost: Free
First Aid Awareness (B,S)
This First Aid Awareness course will give you the opportunity to refresh your current skills or learn new ones. The course will cover areas such as CPR and safe use of an AED, how to deal with a choking casualty, and recognition and help for other illnesses for example heart attacks and anaphylaxis etc.
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Starting Thursday 29th June 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Spalding Campus
Or
Starting on Friday 30th June 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at our Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Understanding Confidence and Stress (B)
The Confidence and Stress course will help you understand the impact and benefits of being confident and identify the factors that affect people’s confidence and self-esteem. The course will also show you what is stress to the individual and the possible causes of stress, and is the cause within our control?
Attendance: This course will take you 12 hours to complete over 2 session. Stating on Monday 5th June 2023, 9:30am – 3:30pm at out Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
July 2023 -Employment and Skills Bite-Size Courses
IT In The Workplace (B)
IT Skills is designed to cover the basics of IT, help build your confidence and develop your skills for employment.
The course will cover a variety of Level 1 IT Skills units to help you improve your computing and IT knowledge including:
-Word Processing Level 1 – Using MS Word
-Spreadsheets Level 1- Using MS Excel
-Using the Internet Level 1 - Using Search Engines
-Using Emails Level 1- Using Email platforms
-Presentation Skills Level 1 – Using PowerPoint
Attendance: This course will take you 6 hours to complete over 1 session. Stating on Monday 10th July 2023, 9:30am – 4:30pm at out Boston Campus (Rochford)
Cost: Free
Employment and Skills Training
Adult Bite Size courses include Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness and Meditation and Understanding Confidence and Stress.
Funded in Partnership with Lincolnshire County Council.
Need some more advice?
If you are unsure about which course is right for you, Boston College Careers Advisers are here to help. The Career Advisers offer FREE impartial Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and are available before you start to college, whilst you are studying at college and when you are ready to take the next step.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of the College's Careers Advisers, they are available by appointment at both the Boston and Spalding campuses, by either calling the College's Information Line on 01205 313218 or by email.