It’s a brand new year – and while most activities may sadly still be unavailable, there’s plenty of online opportunities that can help you boost your professional skills and learn something new from home. Below, you’ll find a variety of online education courses and digital workshops available to complete whilst social distancing. Some are ongoing while others have limited availability – so be sure to get your applications in while you can so you don’t miss out.

Hone your spoken word poetry skills with Young Identity | HOME | Every Monday | Free

Before lockdown restrictions arrived, Young Identity met regularly at HOME, Manchester’s hub for art, cinema, theatre and creativity. These days, you’ll find this collective of young poets, writers and spoken word artists coming together on Zoom every Monday instead – and you’re welcome to join in too, if you’ve got something to say. Sessions are free and open to anyone aged between 15 – 25 years old.

Reach new audiences with a blogging training course | M Training | Various Dates | From £220

It’s become an increasingly important skill for businesses and self starters alike, but what exactly makes a good blog? During this half-day online course, the experts at M Training will lead you on a journey to discover the key ingredients needed to write a blog that not only gets read – but improves your follower count and online social standing. Various course dates are available, making it easy to fit this one around your 2021 schedule.

Release an EP with 'Get Started in Music' free course | Brighter Sound | 28 Jan - 11 Mar | Application only: deadline Sun 17 Jan

Combining online and in-person learning (where possible), this free course is designed to help 18 – 25 year olds develop their musical skills. Over six weeks and twelve sessions, successful applicants will get the opportunity to create, record and release a new EP of their own music, alongside attending exclusive workshops and masterclasses hosted by industry experts. Places on this course are limited – so be sure to apply before the deadline arrives on Sunday 17 January 2021.

Learn about the environment with free climate talks | Science and Industry Museum | Various dates | Free (donations welcome)

Things change constantly these days – and our environment is certainly no exception to this rule. With climate change on the rise, the folks at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum have scheduled a range of digital talks and panel discussions to encourage conversation around topics like environmentalism, fossil fuels, global greenhouse gas removal and more. Sessions are free to attend but donations are much appreciated. Who knows? They may even help you meet a few like-minded friends along the way.

Write a book with this online novel writing course | Write Here UK | 18 Jan - 8 Mar | From £99

Tired of your potentially best-selling book idea only existing in your head? Write Here UK’s online novel writing course can help unleash your creativity so the whole world can enjoy it. From 18 January until 8 March, join writer, editor and ex-creative director of publishing house Curtis Brown, Rufus Purdy, for an intensive eight-week novel writing course that’ll cover all of the essentials without asking you to leave your sofa. Plot, characterisation, dialogue – they’re all on the agenda, alongside a Q&A session at the end that’ll help solve any outstanding publishing queries you may have.

Tue 5 Jan
Words:
Simon Bland
Published on:
Tue 5 Jan 2021