Community Engagement

Buckinghamshire Adult Learning > Community Engagement

Community Engagement

We offer free courses and workshops to help you start to learn new skills, be more confident, meet new people, become a volunteer, get a qualification or get a job.*

Please do not worry about coming back to learning as an adult. We understand that adults learn differently to children and our classes are small and very supportive. Even if you did not enjoy school, we are sure that you will enjoy learning now!

You do not need any qualifications to enrol on our courses. Please let us know if you have a disability that might affect your learning so that we can help you.

*Courses are funded for adults aged 19 years or over at 1/8/2025 who have residency status in the UK/EU. Funding for these courses is targeted to support people who otherwise might not be able to afford to attend adult learning courses, including those with qualifications below Level 2 or no qualifications, those on low incomes, jobseekers and others referred by community partner organisations. 

adult learners making notes in a classroom

Our Courses

Foundation Digital Skills

This course will help you get started and gain confidence using a computer.

12 January – 23 March | Monday 9.30am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2RG

13 January – 24 March | Tuesday 12.30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

16 January – 27 March | Friday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

16 January – 27 March | Friday 9.30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

13 April – 269June | Monday 9.30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Moving on with your Digital Skills

This course will help you to build confidence and advance your digital skills for everyday life and work.

13 January – 24 March | Tuesday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

15 January – 26 March | Thursday 12.30pm – 3pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

13 April – 13 July | Monday 12:30pm – 2.30pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

14 April – 23 June | Tuesday 12pm – 2:30pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

15 April – 24 June | Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Digital Drop-ins - Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe

Are you struggling to use a computer? Or would you just like to use our computers and free wifi?

Come along to one of our free, weekly digital drop-in sessions in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham

Term-time Only

Mondays | 10am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2RG

Tuesdays | 10am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Wednesdays | 10am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Use our computers or bring your own device. Support is available if you need it.

Getting to Grips with Word

This course teaches you the basics of Word processing, including document creation, formatting text, and utilising essential tools to enhance your writing.

15 January – 26 March | Thursday 12.30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

15 April – 24 June | Wednesday 9:15am – 11.45am
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

16 April – 25 April | Thursday 12.30pm – 3pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Getting to Grips with PowerPoint

This course teaches you the basics of PowerPoint, including creating slides, formatting text, and using tools to add images and enhance your presentation.

12 January – 23 March | Monday 12.30pm – 3pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

Getting to Grips with Excel

This course teaches you the basics of Excel including creating spreadsheets, data entry and formulas.

12 January – 23 March | Monday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

14 January – 25 March | Wednesday 9.15am – 11.45am
Chesham ALC, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2RG

14 January – 25 March | Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Employability Skills

Preparing for Work

Join this class to help you prepare for work and build your confidence.

16 January – 13 February | Friday 1pm – 3pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

CV & Prep Interviews

17 April – 5 June | Friday 12:30pm – 3pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

New Horizons - Improve your English, maths and digital skills

This course will increase your confidence with digital skills, English and Maths.

12 January – 23 March | Monday 9:30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

12 January – 23 March | Monday 9:30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

12 January – 23 March | Monday 12:30pm – 2.30pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

13 January – 24 March | Tuesday 12pm – 2.30pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

15 January – 26 March | Thursday 9:30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mill End Road, High Wycombe HP12 4BA

13 April – 29 June | Monday 9:30am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

14 April – 23 June | Tuesday 9.30am – 11:30am
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, Aylesbury, HP20 2DB

17 April – 26 June | Friday 9:30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

English For Health and Wellbeing

Join our friendly class to help improve your English.
You will learn speaking and listening skills for Health through Wellbeing activities and conversation. This course is being run in partnership with Public Health.

5 January – 23 March | Monday 12.15pm – 2.15pm
Millbrook ALC, Mil End Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4BA

7 January – 25 March | Wednesday 11.30am – 1.30pm
The Methodist Church, Bellingdon Road, Chesham, HP5 2HA

8 January – 26 March | Thursday 12.25pm – 2.15pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, Aylesbury, HP20 2DB

15 April – 1 July | Wednesday 9:30am – 11.30am
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

16 April – 2 July | Thursday 10am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

English For Health and Wellbeing

5 January – 23 March | Monday 12.15pm – 2.15pm
Millbrook ALC, Mil End Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4BA

7 January – 25 March | Wednesday 11.30am – 1.30pm
The Methodist Church, Bellingdon Road, Chesham, HP5 2HA

8 January – 26 March | Thursday 12.25pm – 2.15pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, Aylesbury, HP20 2DB

15 April – 1 July | Wednesday 9:30am – 11.30am
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

16 April – 2 July | Friday 10am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

English For Life and Work

Join our friendly class to help improve your English. You will learn speaking and listening skills for life and work through activities and conversation.

5 January – 23 March | Monday 10am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mil End Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4BA

7 January – 25 March | Wednesday 9.30am – 11.30am
The Methodist Church, Bellingdon Road, Chesham, HP5 2HA

8 January – 26 March | Thursday 10am – 12pm
Elmhurst ALC, Dunsham Lane, Aylesbury, HP20 2DB

15 April – 1 July | Wednesday 11:30am – 1.30pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

16 April – 2 July | Thursday 12:15pm – 2:15pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Healthy Meals on a Budget using an Air Fryer

Join this course and learn to cook simple, healthy recipes using an Air Fryer.

13 January – 24 March | Tuesday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mil End Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4BA

13 January – 24 March | Tuesday 10am – 12.30pm
Chesham Methodist Church, Bellingdon Road, Chesham, HP5 2HA

14 January – 25 March | Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mil End Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4BA

15 January – 26 March | Thursday 9.30am – 12pm
Elmhurst Family Centre, Dunsham Lane, Aylesbury, HP20 2DB

14 April – 23 June | Tuesday 10am – 12.30pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

16 April – 25 April | Thursday 12:30pm – 3pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Progression Air Fryer Budget Friendly Cooking

16 April – 25 April | Thursday 9:30am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Crafts for Wellbeing

Join these craft courses to learn a new skill in a relaxed and friendly environment to support your wellbeing.

Crochet for Wellbeing

12 January – 23 March | Monday 9.30am – 12pm
Millbrook ALC, Mil End Road, High Wycombe, HP12 4BA

13 April – 29 April | Monday 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

17 April – 26 June | Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Needle Felting

12 January – 23 March | Monday 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2RG

16 January – 27 March | Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Journaling

14 January – 25 March | Wednesday 9.30am – 12.00pm or 12.15pm – 2.45pm
White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham HP5 1AG

Art in the Community for Wellbeing

15 April – 24 April | Wednesday 9:30am – 12pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

15 April – 24 April | Wednesday 12:15pm – 2:45pm
Chesham ALC, Chiltern Hills, Chartridge Lane, Chesham HP5 2RG

English for Personal Development

14 April – 23 June | Tuesday 6pm – 8pm – Online
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

15 April – 24 June | Wednesday 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

16 April – 25 June | Thursday 10am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

17 April – 26 June | Friday 10am – 12pm
Quarrendon ALC, Holman Street, Aylesbury HP19 9LJ

Contact Us

For more information and to enrol on any of our courses please contact a member of our team below.

Shabana Farooq
Community Engagement Coordinator
High Wycombe

Call or text: 07977 611576

cldevteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Debbie Garwood
Community Engagement Officer
Aylesbury and Chesham

Call or text: 07770 802497

cldevteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Clare Francis
Community Engagement Officer
High Wycombe

Call or text: 07971 981985

cldevteam@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

What our learners say

I found the short course on getting to know my digital devices very interesting and helpful, it has helped me browse the internet on my phone and tablet confidently ensuring I stay safe online.

I am very grateful for all your help on the digital skills course at Chesham. At the start I didn’t know how to turn on the computer and I have now improved, am more confident and work independently.

Its amazing how much you need maths in your cooking. I have gained more confidence and have experimented more at home, I also have learned more tips on flavouring, this has been such a revelation. I would love to do another course in the future.

I am thoroughly enjoying all the courses and would recommend everyone to see if there is a course for them. It is a great social place where you can go and learn new skills. Everyone is friendly and helpful

Next Steps

We talk to you about what you want to do next – maybe you would like advice on getting a qualification in maths, English or digital skills or a vocational qualification from our wide range of Distance Learning courses. Or maybe you would like to talk to a careers advisor about volunteering or job opportunities.

Click on these links for further information on English, maths and Digital Skills courses.

Information on the National Careers Service

Useful Links

Fairhive Community Hub

Every Tuesday at the Vineyard Church, Aylesbury.

You don’t need to be a Fairhive resident to come to the Hub for advice and support.

Careers Springboard

A free job club for Managers, Professionals and Graduates actively seeking work.

Careers Springboard is a registered charity which offers help and support during your job search. We provide free employment support services for people living in the Chilterns, South Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas, but also welcome people from further afield.