Adult Courses: Three ways to learn for FREE in 2025 with RNN Group
Are you an adult who’s looking for frugal ways to learn something new in 2025?
Then why not book onto one of RNN Group’s FREE courses and see where your journey takes you.
Whether you want to develop a skill, gain a qualification, or start a new hobby, RNN Group has plenty of opportunities for adults aged 19 or above to learn in a way that suits them.
Our free adults courses cover a huge range of subjects available, such as digital courses, employment-boosting qualifications, arts and crafts groups, and BSL courses.
Learning can be online or face-to-face depending on the course, venue and availability.
Whichever option you choose, you can guarantee a fun, friendly, and high-quality learning experience. You’ll be taught by some of our finest tutors who specialise in teaching adult learners.
Feeling inspired? Read on to find out three ways you can learn for free here at RNN Group.
1. Level 2 Distance Learning Courses
Take a short level 2 course from the comfort of your home with our wide range of distance learning courses.
Whether you’re looking to update or upskill for an existing job, or take a first step towards a new career, these flexible online courses can help you.
There are no classes or exams. Instead, you just log in and study around your lifestyle and work or family commitments. You’ll have between two and four months to complete your course, depending on the number of modules.
To be eligible for these free distance learning courses you must be:
- Living in the UK and aged 19+
- Those aged 19-23 must hold a full Level 2 qualification and not be enrolled on an apprenticeship
- Aged 24 or above – free to everyone
These CACHE-accredited level 2 courses cover a range of sectors and interests. Some examples are below.
Health and Social Care:
- Cancer Support
- Care Planning
- Counselling Skills
- Dementia or End of Life Care
- Dignity and Safeguarding
- First Aid
- Infection Control and Prevention
- Mental Health Problems Awareness
- Mental Health in the Workplace
- Neuroscience in Early Years
- Nutrition and Health
- Personal Care Needs
- Safe Handling of Medicines
Workplace Skills:
- Business Administration
- Business Improvement Techniques
- Cleaning Principles
- Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
- Customer Service
- Cyber Security Principles
- Creating a Business Start-Up
- Data Protection and Security
- Equality and Diversity
- Retail Operations
- Team Leading
- Warehousing and Storage Principles
- Understanding Workplace Violence and Harassment
For more information contact 01709 513213 or email Distancelearning@rnngroup.ac.uk
See the full list of distance learning courses here
2. Hobby-based community courses
Looking to meet new people and boost your wellbeing in 2025? Why not sign up to one of our FREE community courses.
These informal sessions are taught at venues across our catchment area at places like local libraries and community centres. They usually run for ten weeks with weekly two to three hour sessions. Most take place during the daytime, but there are some evening classes, too.
Our community courses are all about improving your wellbeing. You’ll learn a new skill while spending time with like-minded people from your local area. It’s a chance to develop meaningful friendships as well as spending time doing something you enjoy away from home.
Many of the community courses are arts and crafts based. You could develop your skills in things like machine sewing, garment making, quilting and blanket making, embroidery, and loom weaving. We also offer things like floral and sugar crafts, painting, and seasonal crafts.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn sign language, improve your IT skills, or find out how to use online resources to research your family history. Our free community courses also cover these topics.
Due to demand, our free community courses are continually expanding across the Rotherham and North Nottinghamshire area.
We currently run courses in areas such as:
- Brinsworth and Rotherham town centre (S60)
- Kimberworth and Thorpe Hesley (S61)
- Rawmarsh (S62)
- Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe and Bolton (S63)
- Swinton, Wath and Mexborough (S64)
- Bramley, Dalton and Eastwood (S65)
- Maltby and Wickersley (S66)
- Dinnington (S25)
- Aston and Kiveton Park (S26)
- Cortonwood (S75)
- Tickhill (DN11)
- Retford (DN22)
Find our full list of community courses here
3. Advancing Digital courses for employees
Are you a business owner who’s realised your staff could do with more training to brush up their IT skills?
Whether they’re not using Microsoft Excel to its full potential or you need to get to grips with SEO to boost your online presence, your staff can get FREE digital training with the help of RNN Group.
We are now offering the Advancing Digital programme for businesses in South Yorkshire. This is funded by the European Social Fund and open to all employees in the region, including self-employed and zero-hour contracted staff.
Following a free skills analysis, our IT tutors will work with you and your team to see how your digital skills can be improved.
This might cover areas like Microsoft software, creating powerpoints, using social media for business, or understanding Google Analytics and SEO. We can support you at any level, whether that’s basic, intermediate or advanced digital skills.
Advancing Digital is free for all South Yorkshire businesses. To book your training or to find out more, please email digitalskills@rnngroup.ac.uk or call 01709 513147.Â
Take a look at the Advancing Digital courses