SHAL Free Courses | UCS College Group

We believe that a high-quality home creates the foundations for a good life.

In partnership with SHAL, UCS College Group is proud to offer a wide range of free courses designed to help you build new skills, boost your confidence, and thrive.

At SHAL, the focus is on supporting communities, by delivering people-focused service excellence.

At UCS College Group, our core purpose is to inspire every student to believe in their potential and to transform our local communities.

By joining forces, we are bringing free, flexible, and high-quality education directly to you.

Whether you are looking to advance your career, return to work, or simply learn a new skill for your own wellbeing, we are here to support your journey.

By joining forces, SHAL and UCS College Group are bridging the gap between housing and personal growth. We have combined SHAL’s commitment to supporting communities with UCS College Group’s expertise in adult education to create an exclusive programme just for you.

Select your course from the options below to register your interest. Email feedback@shal.org if you have any questions.

Once your application has been processed, check your emails and follow the instructions to enrol.

Begin your fully supported educational journey with UCS College Group.

Whether you’re looking to gain new qualifications, change career, improve your skills, or pursue a personal interest, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

✔ 15,000+ students

✔ £86m annual investment in skills

✔ Outstanding teaching and support.

of all online job openings require competence in basic computer software skills.

boost to the UK economy if the skills gap is addressed and adult skills attainment returns to 2010 levels.

of Adult Learners reported at least one benefit from their learning, including improved self-confidence.

Our courses are built around your needs. With our flexible online learning options, you can fit studying around your family and work commitments.

Essential skills: Brush up on maths, English, and essential IT skills in a supportive, pressure-free environment
Career & Employability: Gain recognised qualifications to help you secure a new job, get promoted, or completely change your career path
Health & Wellbeing: Explore courses focused on personal development, mental health awareness, and practical life skills
Creative & Hobbies: Discover a new passion or turn a hobby into a side business with our introductory creative courses.

“Somerset is experiencing unprecedented inward investment and regeneration. At UCS College Group, we are committed to ensuring that local businesses—from global multinationals to micro-organisations—have the technical and professional skills needed to participate fully in these new opportunities.”

How does UCS College Group support you?

Personalised learning: We provide clear, straightforward guidance to help you choose the right course for your goals, whether you are looking to boost your employability, return to work, or simply learn a new skill for fun.
A supportive environment: Our experienced tutors understand the needs of adult learners. We ensure every online and in-person class is welcoming, pressure-free, and designed to help you succeed at your own pace.
Confidence & wellbeing: Beyond just gaining qualifications, our partnership with SHAL is about boosting your confidence, supporting your personal wellbeing, and helping you thrive within your community.

Principles of Business Administration

This course is for anyone who wants to prepare for work or update their skills in their existing role. This qualification will help you gain essential knowledge to carry out a range of administrative tasks.

What you will learn:

Office Essentials: Manage diaries, organize meetings, and deliver great customer service.
Professional Documents: Confidently create, file, and securely store business emails and records.
Clear Communication: Find your voice to speak and write confidently with colleagues and clients.
Teamwork: Build strong, supportive workplace relationships and learn to guide new team members.
Business Basics: Understand company structures, plan events, and grasp basic office finance.

Nutrition and Health

This qualification aims to increase understanding of the principles of healthy eating and the role of food in maintaining health.

What you will learn:

Healthy Eating Basics: Learn what makes a balanced diet and the principles of preparing nutritious meals.
Nutrition for Everyone: Understand the specific dietary needs of children, older people, and those with special requirements.
Smart Planning & Weight Management: Master food labels, plan healthy diets, and learn safe, effective ways to manage weight.
Understanding Eating Disorders: Gain a sensitive understanding of eating disorders, their causes, and how to offer support.
Food Hygiene: Learn essential food safety, safe storage, and clean preparation skills for the home or workplace.

Principles of Customer Service

This course will enable learners to develop central knowledge of how to carry out customer service tasks.

What you will learn:

Service Essentials: Learn the core principles of delivering fantastic customer service.
Clear Communication: Discover how to speak and write professionally and confidently to any customer.
Handling Challenges: Build the skills to calmly resolve problems and manage difficult situations.
Building Relationships: Learn how to exceed expectations, build loyalty, and keep customers happy.
Teamwork & Business: Understand how workplaces operate, work brilliantly in a team, and support your colleagues.

Children and Young People’s Mental Health

This qualification aims to increase your knowledge and awareness of children and young people’s mental health.

What you will learn:

Mental Health Basics: Understand how society views mental health and the guidance that protects young people.
Triggers & Causes: Explore how things like bullying, puberty, and developmental changes affect a child’s wellbeing.
Recognizing the Signs: Learn to spot behaviors linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
The Wider Impact: Understand how mental health concerns affect the young person, their family, and their friends.
Providing Support: Discover practical ways to support young people, promote positive mental wellbeing, and understand the treatments available.

If the highlighted courses above aren’t quite the right fit, contact our team and we’ll find something tailored to you.

The courses are free if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

If applying for a Level 2 course:

Learners must be aged 19 years or over at the beginning of the current academic year
Must be a permanent resident in England and live in Somerset, Dorset, or Wiltshire
Must be a resident in the UK on the first day of learning
Must earn less than £26,800 annual gross salary (£2,233 monthly or £515 weekly) or be in receipt of benefits including Universal Credit (UC), Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) including NI Contributions only, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or unemployed and not claiming benefits
Earnings evidence may be requested upon enrolment.

If applying for a Level 3 course:

If you fall into one of the following categories, you also qualify for full funding for DfE funded qualifications based on the qualifications you hold on entry:

Aged 19+ who was approved for funding and appears on the Free Courses For Jobs List (classroom or workplace) and meet the earning threshold of £26,800 annual gross salary or is unemployed.
Students aged 19-23 which was approved for funding and appears on the Free Courses For Jobs List (classroom or workplace) who do not currently hold a full Level 3 qualification and earn above £26,800 annual gross salary.
Applicants for Level 3 courses who are currently employed and earn above the annual income threshold of £26,800 may still be eligible for funded learning if they are in receipt of benefits. In such cases, applicants must provide a Universal Credit statement or other acceptable evidence of their benefit entitlement.

Please be prepared to provide earnings and income evidence upon enrolment.

No! All of these courses can be completed entirely online from the comfort of your home.

Absolutely. Our courses are designed for adult learners of all ages and experience levels. Our tutors are incredibly supportive, and we provide resources to help you build your confidence every step of the way.

You can find a selection of courses above, with many more available.

Navigate to the form below, and complete your application. You will then receive your next steps via email on how to finalise your application.

If you need help with your application, get in touch with info@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk and feedback@shal.org.

About our partnership

Two organisations, one community focus

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