Training & Education

The BDDA centre hosts a number of different courses both educational and recreational. Along with handicrafts we hold health and well-being workshops, art classes and IT courses. The courses are open to all and we cater for all levels of ability.

We also organise occasional weekend workshops teaching the promotion of “Health Without Drugs”. During the course which is normally held over two full days at the weekend, the students learn alternative ways of promoting good health and wellbeing.

Short courses at the centre are mainly craft-based and usually run for nine weeks. Regular short courses in soft-furnishings, dress-making, card-making and similar crafts are offered.

Current Short Courses

Image of Art Class Preview Night

Preview night for the Advanced Art Class Exhibition at the BDDA Centre

BDDA has an ongoing project to deliver IT training and education. We are currently running courses to help students get to grips with the internet and make use of this powerful and increasingly important tool for everyday life.

IT Courses

Short Courses

Current IT Courses

An IT Class in Full Swing

For information about any of the short courses, IT Courses or Weekend Workshops on offer,
please contact Margaret Burrow or Shirley Waters

Call in at the BDDA Centre: 71-77 School Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1E

Telephone: 01229 432599

E-mail: info@bdda.org.uk

Centre Opening Times: Tuesday to Friday,10:00am - 3:00pm

Telephone Lines Open: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Click to go to Weekend Workshops Section
Image of the Computer Class

Hands-on practical learning of a variety of sewing techniques. Course Name: Dressmaking
Tutor: Jenny Le Roy
Starts: 05.01.2010
Duration: 12 weeks
Day/Time : Tuesday (9.30 - 12.00 no)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Practical hands-on learning of sewing techniques. Course Name: Dressmaking
Tutor: Jenny Le Roy
Starts: 05.01.2010
Duration: 12 weeks
Day/Time : Tuesday (1.00 - 3.30pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

This course is designed to help the advanced artist continue in their personal development. Students are encouraged to choose their own subject and the tutor will give the advice required. Not suitable for the inexperienced artist. Course Name: Advanced Art
Tutor: Helene Burrow
Starts: 10.01.2010
Duration: 9 weeks
Day/Time : Friday (6 - 8pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Learn how to paint landscapes with the versatile medium of Acrylic paint. Students will benefit from this course only if they have attended the beginners watercolour course or have some painting experience. Course Name: Intermediate Art
Tutor: Helene Burrow
Starts: 10.01.2010
Duration: 9 weeks
Day/Time : Friday (10.00- 12.00am)
Cost: £ Please enquire

During the course the learner will learn how to stitch a variety of new stitches, such as Kloster blocks, satin stitch, Algerian eyelets, double cable stitch and how to do cut work and weaving.

By the end of the course the learner will have stitched a number of small doilies before embarking on a larger project. Course Name: Hardanger (Beginners)
Tutor: Julie Wilson
Starts: 13.01.2010
Duration: 9 weeks
Day/Time : Wednesday (18.00 - 20.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

During the course the learner will learn how to stitch a double running stitch and back stitch to create a number of patterns, as well as learning how to stitch traditional patterns dating back to Henry VIII's court.

Each learner will make a series of 6 coasters, a picture and by the end of the course will have gained confidence to create their own unique patterns and designs
Course Name: Blackwork (Beginners)
Tutor: Julie Wilson
Starts: 13.01.2010
Duration: 9 weeks
Day/Time : Wednesday (18.00 - 20.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

This is a practical course ranging from curtain making, tie-backs, swags and tails, cushions, decorative headings, pelmets and valances, bedding etc. Course Name: Soft Furnishings
Tutor: Christine Atkinson
Starts: 18.01.2010
Duration: 12 weeks
Day/Time : Monday (6.30 - 9.00pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

This course will cover the pencil techniques needed to draw an effective landscape. The tutor will cover how to achieve distance and how to introduce a light source. Course Name: Drawing for Beginners
Tutor: Helene Burrow
Starts: 25.01.2010
Duration: 9 weeks
Day/Time : Friday (10 - 12pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Learn basic sign language as used by deaf people, including history of deafness, lip-reading skills etc. Course Name: British Sign Language
Tutor: Hannah Gates
Starts: 10.03.2010
Duration: 12 weeks
Day/Time : Monday (6 - 8pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

This course explores various design options and creates a variety of cards using different techniques. Course Name: Paper Crafts
Tutor: Anne Robinson
Starts: 10.03.2010
Duration: 12 weeks
Day/Time : Thursday (1 - 3pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Future Short Courses

Start

Duration

Title

Cost

Familiarise yourself with the new version of Microsoft Word and get to grips with all the functions and toolbars.  Learn how to create basic documents and then progress onto more advanced features. Course Name: Word 2007 Familiarisation
Tutor: Jeff Atkinson
Starts: 00.00.0000
Duration: 10 day
Day/Time : Monday (13.00 - 15.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Learn how to use a scanner to create invitations, cards and calendars Course Name: Creative Computing
Tutor: Susan Hughes
Starts: 28.01.2001
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Thursday (13.00 - 15.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Suitable for students who have completed an Introduction to Desktop Publishing course.  This covers more in-depth techniques and students will build a protfolio of projects including magazine covers, multi-page, brochures,etc. Course Name: Level 2 Desktop Publishing
Tutor: Susan Hughes
Starts: 07.01.2010
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Thursday (10.00 - 12.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Learn how to create your own web pages and incorporate hyperlinks, navigation bars, etc. Course Name: Web Design for Beginners
Tutor: Mark Preston
Starts: 08.01.2010
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Friday (10.00 - 12.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Word processing, Internet and Email Course Name: Computers for beginners
Tutor: Susan Hughes
Starts: 10.01.2010
Duration: 15 weeks
Day/Time : Monday (10 - 12pm)
Cost: £ Please enquire

A 10 week course using Photoshop Elements, in which students will learn how to use creative tools in Elements to enhance their digital images.  Suitable for beginners. Course Name: Digital Imaging
Tutor: Susan Hughes
Starts: 10.01.2010
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Wednesday (13.00 - 15.00)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Learn how to use your photographs to create digital memories in a scrapbook style layout. Course Name: Digital Scrapbooking
Tutor: Susan Hughes
Starts: 26.01.2010
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Tuesday (09.45 - 11.45)
Cost: £ Please enquire

Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop and become creative with your photos.  Suitable for beginners. Course Name: Photoshop - First Steps
Tutor: Mark Preston
Starts: 27.01.2010
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Wednesday (18.30 - 20.30)
Cost: £ Please enquire

A 10 week course where you will learn how to create animated computer slide shows using images and text. Course Name: Powerpoint
Tutor: Susan Hughes
Starts: 06.04.2010
Duration: 10 weeks
Day/Time : Tuesday (09.45 - 11.45)
Cost: £ Please enquire

This course covers Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Databases.  Level 1 is suitable for beginners or those who have completed Computers for Beginners and Level 2 is for students who wish to progress to the next step. Course Name: Using a Computer - Parts 1 & 2
Tutor: Debbie Robley
Starts: 10.04.2010
Duration: 12 weeks
Day/Time : Tuesday (18.30 - 20.30 )
Cost: £ Please enquire

Future IT Courses

Start

Duration

Title

Cost

Weekend Workshops

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