Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning offers an amazing range of part-time courses with something to…read moreinterest just about everyone - ranging from foreign language courses available in the evenings, to short Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for business, public sector employers and individuals. The centre covers subjects such as law, computer studies, science and the environment, business and management, and social studies. Some people study at the centre as a means of getting onto further courses within one of the university's other Schools, gaining the necessary qualifications to be eligible for full degree courses. Other people just attend to follow a personal interest and continue their lifelong learning at an informal community course. Businesses can send staff on CPD courses covering areas such as Lean Thinking, Project Management, Leadership, Communication Skills, Finance, Statistics, Marketing, and Language and Cultural Awareness. If you fancy learning something new, it's well worth checking out whether this centre offers what you're looking for, as the teaching staff are generally of a good standard.

I love learning but hate homework, so thankfully I can nurture my bored brain cells without the…read morepiles of subsequent paperwork at Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning (or as Elizabeth Gilbert may label as "Night School for Divorced Ladies"). I took a writing course here, taught by an eccentric novelist who provided practical tips in addition to editing processes I was never privy to when I studied Journalism in uni. I'm quite shy in class, so it was a relief to know we didn't have to share our writing, either - he rightly thought that amateurs commenting on amateurs' work didn't really have much value. Thank God for small favours. The Centre offers day and evening classes to suit those interested in a wide variety of topics, from French classes to Practical Project Management. One, two and three-day courses are available in subjects like Presentation Skills or Islam and Modern Britain. I wish they'd bring back the Film Analysis classes, but I understand with all the rampant budget cuts, we should be grateful they're still running Humanities courses at all!

I've recently been looking into the idea of attending an aromatherapy course over the winter…read moremonths. It strikes me as being a nurturing and warming thing to do whilst the weather outside does its worst! I have stumbled across a number of places in the region that offer courses in aromatherapy, but none that provide tuition so inexpensively as Barry Community Learning Centre. The carlton Institute charges several hundred pounds for a really short course, but here they charge a fraction of this. They also run some other great courses that I may well consider doing, like Tai Chi for instance! (I think I'll give the belly dancing a miss). All the classes are in the evenings and so it's ideal for people who work 9 to 5! I'll see you there!

You'll find this adult education centre inside an old Victorian primary school just outside Barry…read more I attended both Welsh language classes there on Saturday mornings with various teachers (including Hayden Jones, Angharad and Melanie), and also Welsh history classes with Geoff Wright (a superbly inspiring teacher and extremely nice man). You can find it opposite the Dow Corning's factory on the Cardiff Road. There are plenty of parking spaces and the Centre is also near bus stops and only a 10 minute walk from Cadoxton Station. There is disabled access with ramps and a stairlift, and a free crèche which is supervised by professional staff.. The times of opening are: Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.00pm Tues & Thurs 6.30pm 9.00pm

I hated the thought of standing up in front of people, but after this course I feel a lot more…read moreconfident and eager to try out my new skills!

This foundation trains journalists, and offers consultancy and media training to management within…read moreorganisations. It does this through a range of courses and workshops led by hands-on professionals, spanning all areas of traditional and new media including television, print, radio, print, online, management, and photojournalism. While some courses are openly advertised and open to individuals, others are bespoke courses created to meet the specific media training needs of a particular organisation. Many of their alumni have risen to the top in TV, radio, print or photojournalism. Others have made their mark with NGOs, governments and in the private sector. The Thomson Foundation doesn't just provide consultancy services and training, however, it also works with various international partners on big, strategic projects that cover whole continents. These partners are sometimes governments, commercial giants or major media players, and project aims are diverse - but the outcomes usually focus on the foundation's mission to raise media standards and increase access to open, fair information for all.

A while ago, I reviewed a photography site of a man called Ben Vivian based in Cardiff. After…read morebuying a few pictures I found out that his day job was a carpenter and so bought a frame from him. Since then, I have used Ben's carpentry service several times. It is called Ben Vivian- House and Garden Maintenance and covers the Cardiff area. I was pleased to find out that Ben does all kinds of jobs, big and small and as well as carpentry, also does tiling, painting general maintenance and gardening. As I was so happy with the lovely frame Ben made me I decided to ask him when I needed a unit made for my kitchen. I wanted something cheap but cheerful that wouldn't look out of place with my other units and Ben did a wonderful job, I am so pleased with it! For the price I paid, I didn't expect the quality to be nearly as good as it was. It was excellent value! Following this, Ben has also hung a door for me and did a few odd jobs at the same time. His prices are very reasonable and he is a lovely man. He isn't your typical stereotype of a tradesman type, he is very pleasant and respectable, the kind of person you feel comfortable having in your home. I have recommended Ben to a few people since, including an elderly neighbour and he is now her regular gardener. I highly recommend Ben if you need any carpentry work or maintenance work done and you live in Cardiff. His best work in my opinion is the lovely bespoke furniture he makes. His website has pictures and details of what he does but have a look at the bed on there, it's great! http://www.ben-vivian.co.uk