Intro to electrics / plumbing / carpentry courses?

[Viscoelasticity]

I want to be better at DIY. I have nobody in my life who can teach me and no real way of knowing which Youtubers are the biz and which are cowboys.

I’d like to do some basic evening / weekend online courses. I would like to learn how troubleshoot a plug or electrical socket, plumb in a washing machine, use tools properly and make simple stuff (like shelves) out of wood. Anyone done anything like this?

Have had a look at Access Training courses but they are very sketchy about price and a bit of online research suggest they charge several thousand. I don’t want to pay huge money! £500-£1000 maybe but no more!

Anyone ever done anything like this / can you recommend?

Thanks

Anybody?

I don't know where you are in the country and I've never done any of these, but they cover all the things you've specified:
: greatbritishwoodshop.co.uk/events/

You might do a lot better on the Property/DIY section.

You're wise to stay away from the youtubers until at least you have basics.
(I've never actually used any of them, but have found good videos on trade sites like RS etc)

I've been learning trial and error for a lifetime much of it without internet.
You can teach yourself.
But everything below is stuff I'd confidently point my nearest and dearest to. The books cover much more than you may initially want, but they are all good comprehensive ones that will take you as far as you want to go and stand you in good stead.

Regarding working with electricity: Don't, until you have worked out how to do it entirely safely, and what could go wrong, and how to make sure it doesn't.
Most of it is common sense, and comes down to planning what you are doing, and don't take short cuts.

Know how and where to turn off your electrical current, gas, and water.

For everything; an old adage that is worth it's weight: "measure twice, (=) cut once.

I've found the main information and videos on here to be reliable, but have only watched quite niche ones: https://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/index.htm

This is a free, and a very good site for learning/understanding theoretical basics about electricity, plumbing, and woodwork: https://s.howstuffworks.com/serp?q=woodworking
Important to note some is American but it's a great starting point.

How to use a multimeter: https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Use-a-Multimeter-Basics/ (I originally just brought one and followed the instruction leaflet)

Useful basic starting understanding of what tool is for what https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/hand-tools-buying-guide/PROD_npcart_100646.art

Solid good books:

Starting point for woodworking: www.amazon.co.uk/Woodworking-Dummies-Jeff-Strong/dp/0764539779

Plumbing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Plumbing-Central-Heating/dp/0007379498/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_1/261-6930067-4546251?pd_rd_w=D7rh5&content-id=amzn1.sym.46f507f3-7fc1-4bf4-9492-ed026d6e4f68&pf_rd_p=46f507f3-7fc1-4bf4-9492-ed026d6e4f68&pf_rd_r=KBRVW74Y5GZGV2TQAZF2&pd_rd_wg=cphwD&pd_rd_r=e53e5610-6d5a-422a-91ed-2ae2a200df78&pd_rd_i=0007379498&psc=1

Electrics: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Wiring-Lighting-Jackson/dp/0007364571/ref=sr_1_16?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VfEA8Cb4W1R62nKyVLSgrpsAN4-tVu9DR6Z8CQJhZlPt87u8tApneEr7oYyPif3xpi_qOiBRALsEh4mpHcCykpzgJv4aeZufVe7IszK8TQ1dh790pFIBxDAonMOx-QShM_s6qRLfKBiyFcAl4_GOLgYDbMun4kmqCcY6y5OkHI5RG4W0Qnd5tyZMxlZatucu6_IWi26lsIaeaPJEEgclYwaYjjx2nbssW19OBctpdogBKth8uG4nAEPsImOkGEP0GFteGRlfVAhH0z_EIoTbNJcJTPRm4GcJ6wAaNbvteCI.kpZ2gDkfQQaLUxHw8dijpz7shdduge8sjR_TuTWyeGg&dib_tag=se&keywords=electrical+for+dummies&qid=1718726955&s=books&sr=1-16

General DIY: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Manual-Albert-Jackson/dp/0007425953/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_2/261-6930067-4546251?pd_rd_w=D7rh5&content-id=amzn1.sym.46f507f3-7fc1-4bf4-9492-ed026d6e4f68&pf_rd_p=46f507f3-7fc1-4bf4-9492-ed026d6e4f68&pf_rd_r=KBRVW74Y5GZGV2TQAZF2&pd_rd_wg=cphwD&pd_rd_r=e53e5610-6d5a-422a-91ed-2ae2a200df78&pd_rd_i=0007425953&psc=1

This is a great book for understanding some basic electronic components:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrical-engineering-without-prior-knowledge/dp/B08LNBH65Z/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VfEA8Cb4W1R62nKyVLSgrpsAN4-tVu9DR6Z8CQJhZlPt87u8tApneEr7oYyPif3xpi_qOiBRALsEh4mpHcCykpzgJv4aeZufVe7IszK8TQ1dh790pFIBxDAonMOx-QShM_s6qRLfKBiyFcAl4_GOLgYDbMun4kmqCcY6y5OkHI5RG4W0Qnd5tyZMxlZatucu6_IWi26lsIaeaPJEEgclYwaYjjx2nbssW19OBctpdogBKth8uG4nAEPsImOkGEP0GFteGRlfVAhH0z_EIoTbNJcJTPRm4GcJ6wAaNbvteCI.kpZ2gDkfQQaLUxHw8dijpz7shdduge8sjR_TuTWyeGg&dib_tag=se&keywords=electrical+for+dummies&qid=1718726955&s=books&sr=1-3

Oh wow @Elleherd thank you, really appreciate your detailed answer, thank you for taking the time to writ it all. I will ask for the thread to be moved to DIY.