Learning improves our self-esteem, keeps us connected and involved, and helps us adapt to change and find meaning in our lives. It has also been shown to help prevent depression in later years. Learning is more than just formal education – it’s about exploring new ideas, seeing opportunities, embracing new experiences and sharpening our skills. It means being curious and having an enquiring mind, in all areas of life.

Learning in these times of COVID-19 comes in all shapes and sizes and is just a click away. Here are some suggestions:

  • The Development Toolkit is an online learning and development resource for staff with advice, guides and self-assessments on a range of topics including personal skills and wellbeing.
  • If you would like to try using mobile apps to support your wellbeing, we are also arranging Wellbeing Apps Workshops.
  • TED talks. Go online and check out TED for thousands of short, powerful talks delivered by world’s leading thinkers and doers. Watch one talk on a topic that interests you.
  • Completing a Personal Development Plan (PDP) can help you to become aware of skills you have, evaluate the knowledge and skills you need to undertake your role and work out what you want to achieve and how to achieve it. Download your PDP template.
  • Learn a new language: Learning with Duolingo can be fun, you'll practice with lessons that (they say) will leave you eager to learn more, and develop reading, writing, speaking, listening and conversation skills.
  • BBC Radio 4′ ‘In Our Time’ this online resource by the BBC offers a wide -range of free downloadable radio programmes that cover a wide range of topics, from Science, Culture, Religion and Philosophy. You can also test your knowledge and learn something new in their quizzes and features section.
  • The Free Dictionary.com this free website offers some great little snippets of knowledge. On their homepage they have an ‘article of the day’ and a ‘this day in history’ section.
  • Learn a new recipe. Learning a new recipe is a great way to bring learning into your everyday life (plus, you get the extra enjoyment of eating something yummy afterwards). The BBC’s Good Food website is home to hundreds of tasty recipes, cooking tips and advice, and online tools to help you develop your culinary skills.
  • Subscribing to Wikipedia’s ‘Feature Article’ list. Wikipedia posts daily featured articles that aim to bring out the very best content that this FREE online encyclopaedia has to offer. You can subscribe to it through their website, meaning you will get something new and interesting to learn every day.