Single mum to a toddler looking for adult learning courses

[Frankybrain]

Hi everyone,

I am a single mum to my toddler who is 2.5 years and has started 15 hours at nursery.
Due to me now having some free time I would like to find a course that would help me gain qualifications for a decent job in the future. I was a carer before and I had no qualifications and I would like to use this time to better myself career wise.

Being a single mum I am
reliant on universal credit I currently also receive pip for my mental health also.

I was wondering if I would be entitled to any sort of education courses that I could fit around my child. I’ve looked at future learn, open university but was wondering if any one knew of any other courses I could do. Preferably free.
I’m worried about starting a uni course and getting student finance deducted from my universal credit. Please help
if anyone has any suggestions I’d be very grateful. Thankyou

I don't think student finance would come out of UC as has to have higher income. Look at local HE college for free courses, otherwise think about what you would like to do. Good vocational courses, A levels, Access courses.

You may be able to do Level 2 courses for free. Some people are also eligible for Level 3 courses free.

For example:

https://mkcollege.ac.uk/adults-professionals/what-can-you-study/online-learning/

I think it would be helpful if you narrowed down your goals for what you want to be able to do with any qualifications so you can make best use of your time.

I’m not working at the moment and have discovered lots of free courses. Follow your main local library and local council fb pages as they’re most likely to be advertised there. Also, is there a community hub of some description local to you? I found mine on fb & lots of free courses advertised there also.