Want to learn a new skill, simply fine-tune your talents, or enhance your career prospects in the creative industry? Our courses offer the opportunity for you to develop your skills with others in a range of intriguing subject areas.
You will receive expert support and guidance from our tutors throughout your course as you unlock your hidden talents. You will also get the chance to meet people who share your ambitions.
• Art Drawing and Painting
• Pottery
• Art with Digital Skills
• Music Guitar
• Art Drawing with Multi-Media
• Silverclay Jewellery Making
• Art Pastel and Mixed Media
• Art History
• Draw, Paint, Print
• Creative Video Editing
• Creative Writing
• British Sign Language (BSL)
• Makaton
ACL Essex is the largest provider of adult education in the county. We’re at the heart of our communities across Essex making a difference to residents and businesses, so everyone has the chance to make a difference for themselves, those around them, and the places that they live in.
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Stay connected
Keep up to date with the latest information, news and events: lifelong.learning@essex.gov.uk aclessex.com/contact-us
Improve your wellbeing with
Arts and Crafts
Research shows that participating in creative arts and craft activities can improve your mental health and wellbeing, reduce stress and help you regain focus in an often challenging world.
We have lots of interesting Art & Crafts courses starting all year round. Found out more and enrol on a course by visiting our website: aclessex.com
Increase happiness and reduce anxiety
When your mind is focused on a task or activity, it is less likely to be focusing on the things that cause you stress and anxiety in day-to-day life.
According to BUPA, “Repetitive activities like drawing, knitting and painting can help to flood your brain with dopamine, the feel-good chemical that helps to motivate us.”
Engage with others
Some of the most common feedback we get from learners is that our courses have enabled them to meet like-minded people and make friends for life. Being surrounded by people who share a common passion and encourage your creativity, enables you to connect with people and form relationships.
The social element of our creative classes is also very important for some of our learners. Whether it’s an online class or in one of our centres, being able to communicate and engage with people reduces isolation and loneliness.
Increases creative confidence and self-esteem
One of the reasons that many of us don’t take part in creative activities is because we feel we lack artistic flare. But that’s not true! We all have creativity within us, and our tutors will encourage you to embrace your own artistic styles and create artwork that showcases the artist within.
Art British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton
We offer a comprehensive range of art, drawing and painting courses. You’ll discover new and exciting skills whilst exploring your creative side and sharing inspirational moments with others.
Our art courses develop a broad range of transferable skills and knowledge that support creative thinking, collaboration, communication, resilience, creative problem solving along with a heightened awareness of looking at and seeing the environment.
• Art Drawing and Painting
• Art with Digital Skills
• Art Drawing with Multi-Media
• Art Pastel and Mixed Media
• Art History
• Draw, Paint, Print
We offer courses that help you to develop essential communication skills and new languages.
These can be used to connect with people in the community, and support those with communication difficulties, by providing a way for them to express themselves independently.
• BSL
• Makaton
Creative
Video Editing
Unlock your storytelling potential with our Creative Video Editing short course!
This hands-on course will guide you through the essentials of crafting engaging digital content. You’ll learn how to edit basic video footage and enhance it with creative touches like music and effects. Perfect for aspiring content creators, social media enthusiasts, or anyone curious about digital media.
Creative Writing
Unleash your imagination with our Creative Writing short course, designed to help you explore your voice and bring your ideas to life.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your writing, these courses offer a supportive space to experiment, grow, and connect with others who share your passion for words.
• Creative Writing: Give it a Go!
• Creative Writing: Unleash Your Potential
• Creative Journaling
Guitar
Explore the joy of playing acoustic guitar in this engaging short course, perfect for beginners and improvers alike.
Learn essential techniques like strumming, fingerpicking, and plectrum picking, while building your confidence through simple melodies and chord sequences.
You’ll also dive into basic music theory and notation to support your playing, with a broad mix of musical styles to keep things fresh and inspiring.
How We Support You During Your Studies
We’re committed to supporting our learners during and after their studies. With ACL, you don’t just enrol on a course, you also gain access to a wide range of opportunities that could be free.
Employability & careers
Improve your employment prospects to get back into work or move into a new job opportunity. Whatever your previous experience, we can support you to achieve your career goals. Our courses and apprenticeships will help you develop lifelong skills that will boost your prospects and take you in the previously unexplored directions that could result in exciting new career pathways and opportunities.
aclessex.com/employabilitysupport
Mental health & wellbeing
We offer the space to explore ways to improve your wellbeing and provide tools to help you navigate everyday life. Our wellbeing courses are there to improve your self-care techniques, boost confidence, and improve your goal setting strategies.
aclessex.com/wellbeing
I.T./Digital skills
Are you, or do you know someone who struggles to use digital technology and would like to be more confident? We offer Essential Digital Skills courses that will help you complete tasks on a daily basis, saving you time, energy and reducing potentially stressful situations. Gain knowledge and skills whilst using your computer and devices in a home or work environment. We also offer Microsoft Office and Cyber Security courses to help you improve your career prospects and feel more confident.
aclessex.com/digital-skills
Maths & English
English and maths play a vital part in our daily lives. Whether applying for a job, helping children with their homework or just reading a newspaper or online article. Our free* English and maths courses will help to blow away the cobwebs, improve your confidence and gain a qualification. Whatever your reason to improve your English or maths, we can help! Our courses could be free* and start from beginners to GCSEs. You can learn in the classroom or online.
aclessex.com/english
aclessex.com/maths
*FREE to those who do not currently hold a grade C or 4 (or above) in
Support for all the family
If you’re a parent, grandparent or caring for a child or young person in Essex, we have support for you. We offer guided workshops focused on keeping children emotionally well, improving carers’ or parents’ ability to support children’s learning and development, and strengthening family relationships.
aclessex.com/communityfamily-learning
Online Support
Help Hub
Full of useful guidance and resources, our online home for support will ensure you have all the necessary tools whilst learning with us.
• Technical support
• Financial support
• Wellbeing support
• Safeguarding
• Career advice
• Frequently asked questions
• Feedback
We continuously update topics to best meet our learner’s needs. Please don’t forget to send us your feedback to let us know about any additional support you require.
aclessex.com/help-hub
How to enrol
Once you have chosen your course/s, you can either enrol on our website or by phone. Alternatively you can visit one of our centres.
aclessex.com/centres
1. Online
Visit www.aclessex.com and create an account. You can then either search for the course title using the search box or browse our website.
Once the course has been selected, you will be asked to fill out an enrolment form (non-qualification) or asked to enrol onto an assessment session (qualification).
2. Phone
Call 0345 603 7635 and you will be put through to a member of our customer service team.
Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 5pm, unless otherwise stated.
Equality and Diversity
ACL welcomes everyone and is committed to fairness and equal chances for all learners. We do not accept any form of discrimination. Our courses are open and inclusive. We encourage people of all ages, backgrounds, races, religions, and sexual orientations to join, and we actively support Equality and Diversity in everything we do.
Safeguarding
We want everyone at ACL to feel safe. We look after the wellbeing of all learners, staff, volunteers, and visitors, especially those who may be more vulnerable. We have clear policies to deal with any concerns, and all staff are trained to help. Learners are also told how to report anything that worries them.
August 2025
Please Note:
It is always our intention to run our courses as advertised, however if demand is low, they may be postponed or cancelled. Alternative options will be offered in these circumstances. Prices are in line with our fees and charges policy. For full information, please visit www.aclessex.com/fees-policy
