LIFESTYLE

If you own a pair of eyes or ears, then you couldn’t have failed to notice that unemployment is a pretty horrendous problem right now – running at almost 8%, and at record levels for those aged 16 to 24. This is “a matter of great regret”, Davy Cameron assures us, as if he’d forgotten Samantha’s birthday or let his cup of tea go cold.

And with the employment market in such dire straits, the prospect of leaving an unfulfilling job to pursue a passion or ambition is more daunting than it’s ever been. Rubbing hairy shoulders in the rat race isn’t exactly glamorous, but when the nation’s finances have the stability of a bowl of custard, it’s a relief even to be in work.

Nonetheless, there are opportunities to sidestep the daily grind and forge a path to a more rewarding existence, with a whole host of courses, events and workshops happening in the fair environs of the South West that can give you the tools – and the confidence – to take that Neil Armstrong-scale step.

School of rock

If your dreams of selling out stadiums the nation over weren’t crushed to dust the day Dad confiscated the tennis racket, then Access to Music has a myriad of further education courses. From September ATM is running Level 2 and 3 Performing Musician and Digital Musician courses full-time, with both ultimately leading to a Rockschool-accredited qualification. In July the Music Practitioner Advanced Apprenticeship is also kicking off, a full-time, two-year course that will impart all of the skills necessary to staff the music industry’s colossal machine – be that as a sound engineer, label owner, manager or promoter. Why be the puppet when you can be pulling the strings? FFI: WWW.ACCESSTOMUSIC.CO.UK

But is it art...? Yes

According to the Sunday Times Rich List, Damien Hirst is worth £215m, which is a completely justifiable reason to pursue a career in artistic endeavours. But sheep don’t just pickle themselves, you know – it takes a bit of training. The City of Bath College runs three foundation degree courses in Fashion, Textiles and Design Skills, Digital Design, and Contemporary Design Crafts, with entry requirements varying from course to course and often welcoming alternative applications for mature students who may not have UCAS tariff points. So whether you want to be turning your eyes square on Photoshop or enduring death by a thousand needle pricks, The City of Bath College can ensure you suffer for your art and not just for its own sake. FFI: VISIT WWW.CITYOFBATHCOLL.AC.UK OR CALL 01225 312191.

You’re bard

If you know your Dryden from your Donne and can name all three Bronte sisters – or maybe if you just want to – the University of Bristol offers a part-time degree in English and Community Engagement, aimed at those from non-academic backgrounds. Most interestingly, at the core of the course is a belief that education must have benefit not only the individual, “but also to society and to the wider community”. Students set up reading groups in local settings – anything from a library to a women’s offender unit – so that their own learning is supplemented by an appreciation of the value of literature outside academia. Attendance is once a week in the evening, and the course is recruiting now. FFI: VISIT WWW.BRISTOL.AC.UK/ENGLISH/LIFELONG, CALL 0117 954 6969 OR EMAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nature’s way

Naturopathy, if you don’t know, is a school of medicine which follows the tenets that prevention is better than cure, there is always an underlying cause to a disease, and nature has an innate ability to heal itself. Treatment is therefore holistic, and could include lifestyle change recommendations, herbal remedies or homeopathic treatments, but a very big part of it is diet. The College of Naturopathic Medicine is recruiting for trainee nutritional therapists, with study for the diploma course part-time and not requiring any prior knowledge. Food not your thing? From this year CNM will also be offering acupuncture training. FFI: VISIT WWW.NATUROPATHY-UK.COM OR CALL 01342 410505.

Touch of magic

As any number of song lyrics will testify – some more profane than others – the beneficial effects of human contact are great and varied in number. The Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork is a non-profit organisation that has been running for well over two decades, with founder Andy Fagg still at the head. They are now accepting entrants for the Professional Training Course, starting in October, teaching everything from the practical (full body massage techniques), fiscal (practice management and business skills) and spiritual (“subtle energy, including the aura and chakras”). At the end of it, you get a Holistic Massage Diploma – but if you’re not looking for professional training, there are also Introductory Workshops taking place on 9 and 10 July, and 3 and 4 September. FFI: VISIT WWW.BRISTOLMASSAGE.CO.UK OR CALL 0117 3771201.

Gratis eruditionus

With the much-discussed vault in fee prices, getting a degree has never been more financially onerous – but fortunately the good people at the University of Bristol have a means for the local community to access some of the sweet, honeyed knowledge from their academics’ research topics. Twilight Talks are completely free and pitched at the layman, with no prior knowledge required, though a desire to engage is encouraged. “There is plenty of opportunity for questions – they are informal discussion events, really – and offer our academics a chance to hear the opinions of others, as well as having inspiration and educational benefit to those attending,” explains coordinator Maggie Leggett. With the titles of previous talks ranging from ‘Still not easy being British: multiculturalism today’ and ‘Angels and demons: the strange and beautiful world of antimatter’, expect thoughts to be thoroughly provoked. They’re often full though, so be sure to book a place. FFI: VISIT WWW.BRISTOL.AC.UK/PUBLICENGAGEMENT OR CALL 0117 331 8313.

Dance to a different tune

If touch is one side of the physical therapy coin, then movement is surely the other. Dance Voice propounds the power of dance as a therapeutic and expressive tool, often (but not necessarily) for those with disabilities or mental health needs. But they also offer training in the field, with both a Masters course and a BTEC in Dance Movement Therapy available for those wishing to pass on the remedial merits of movement and dance. Interviews for the MA course are taking place in June and July; BTEC applicants are advised to ring for an appointment. FFI: CALL 0117 953 2055 OR VISIT WWW.DANCEVOICE.ORG.UK

The weirdest of the rest

Looking for a distraction from your current life rather than a completely new one? Look no further…

Wildest dreams

Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers are offering a course from 23-25 June on how to commit nature’s wonder to celluloid. Held on-site at the 250-acre Folly Farm, the £599.25 fee includes a two-night stay, all your grub and plenty of plenty of bush tales from the course tutors. FFI: VISIT WWW.FOLLYFARM.ORG OR CALL 01275 331590.

Mend that achy breaky heart

Cattle driving is a dying art but the cowboy’s lateral shimmy certainly ain’t. Learn how to chasse, grapevine and shuffle step on this five week beginner’s course, held at Bristol’s Folk House on Wednesdays from 2.30 to 3.30pm. Jerky optional. FFI: VISIT WWW.BRISTOLFOLKHOUSE.CO.UK OR CALL 0117 926 2987.

A load of rubbish

If you fancy your own ‘Scrapheap Challenge’ but lack the engineering nous, attendees at this year’s WOMAD festival from 28-31 July can take part in the Roots Architecture Workshops. Build your own “low tech and no tech” structures from scrap and recycled materials, under the watchful gaze of expert rubbish re-inventors. Cost of the course is £245, but you do get access to the festival included. FFI: VISIT WWW.WOMAD.ORG OR CALL 0118 960 6060.

Get wood

Jesus was a carpenter, and though he isn’t especially famous for his woodturning abilities, we’re sure he’d approve of an introductory course in it held by the Bristol Construction Academy at Filton College. Just think of how much money you could save on bowls, keyrings, chess pieces and so on. FFI: VISIT WWW.FILTON.AC.UK, CALL 0117 909 2325 OR EMAIL SUE LOVE AT This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Get laid

The joy of the coveted double yoker and full egg-related independence are just two of the joys of keeping chickens. Sunrise crowing and the aftermath of fox attacks are two potential drawbacks. All of this may or may not be discussed at Windmill Hill City Farm’s Keeping Chickens course, pencilled in for 11 June at the reasonable rate of £60. FFI: VISIT WWW.LOWIMPACT.ORG/BRISTOL_CHICKENS.HTM OR CALL 01296 714184.