This 2017-2018 impact report looks at how WEA courses have made a difference to adult learners and proves the positive outcomes that adult education brings to individuals and communities. Below are the key findings:

Employability: Creating jobs

• 81% of job-seeking students said their courses boosted the skills they would need for work 
• 69% of students in work gained job-related knowledge and skills. This figure rose to 72% for students with no qualifications and 79% for Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic or Refugee (BAMER) students
• 44% of students who were unemployed and looking for work before the course became employed after

Health and Wellbeing: Helping with the big issue of mental health

• 82% of students with mental health issues reported improvements in their condition (68% reduced stress and 65% managed stress better)
• 72% of WEA students made fewer visits to the GP compared to the national average
• 64% reported an increase in self-confidence

Community Engagement: Building communities

• 40% felt a heightened sense of belonging to their community 
• 39% gained a greater understanding of other cultures and 29% felt more respectful to those different to themselves
• 23% wanted to improve their local area after attending their WEA course

Personal Development: Delivering skills for life

• 54% enhanced their critical thinking skills 
• 51% boosted their communication skills with 23% improving language and literacy skills
• 29% improved their problem-solving skills
• 55% were inspired by their WEA course to continue learning
• 27% enrolled on another course

There were also key findings on the positive impact in family life:

• 71% encouraged their children to learn more and 34% gave their children more help with their homework
• 58% improved their confidence in helping their children with reading, writing or maths as a result of their course
• 35% encouraged their children to lead a healthier lifestyle as a result of their WEA course

Our work transforms outcomes for people in deprived communities; reduces social exclusion, increases social mobility and enables families to break the cycle of deprivation. Want to support our work? Get involved by becoming a WEA member.