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Pioneering Care Partnership demonstrates the impact of embedding learning within workplaces to improve health, wellbeing and social inclusion at scale. By making health education accessible in familiar environments, the organisation has engaged 60,000 adults anually who might not otherwise participate in learning. The outcomes include improved health knowledge, healthier lifestyles, stronger mental wellbeing, reduced loneliness and higher workplace engagement. This impact has been extended by a network of trained health advocates within organisations and communities.

Lifeboat Recovery Hub shows the power of adult learning for people who have experienced trauma, addiction, social exclusion or poor mental health. By delivering learning opportunities in a trusted and supportive environment, the organisation has helped people regain confidence and self-belief, build emotional resilience and enhance their communication skills. Participants have described the transformational effects on their recovery journeys, including an improved ability to manage stress and renewed motivation for personal development.

SAMAFAL Families Association is delivering community-based learning for women who face educational, cultural and social barriers. Its work increases people’s confidence, wellbeing and employability by coupling learning options and entrepreneurship with volunteering. The organisation is also improving public health outcomes by increasing understanding of vaccinations and disease prevention. Learners report greater confidence engaging with public services, accessing health information and supporting their families as a result.

Screen Alliance North is opening creative industry career opportunities to people traditionally excluded from them. Through targeted support, training and employment pathways, learners have developed confidence, skills, networks and clear career pathways in the screen industries. Screen Alliance North places a particular emphasis on reaching disabled people, care leavers, veterans, LGBTQ+ learners and people from low-income backgrounds. The impact extends beyond employment outcomes: participants report increased confidence, a sense of belonging and new ambitions.

Step by Step is transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage. By focusing on improving confidence, digital skills, employability and progression into education and work, the organisation has helped people regain stability and independence in their lives. Its approach is trauma-informed and typically helps adults reconnect with learning after periods of exclusion. Their learners report increased wellbeing, self-belief and social participation, demonstrating how adult learning can act as a foundation for recovery, resilience and renewed life opportunities.

South Bank Colleges is enabling NHS staff who have been held back by gaps in qualifications or confidence to gain essential skills for life and work, including literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Participants apply these skills immediately in healthcare settings, improving communication, decision-making and workplace performance. As well as supporting the NHS to build a workforce equipped to support patients and healthcare services, South Bank Colleges’ programmes are also increasing self-belief, confidence and appetite for further learning.

Northumberland Libraries is taking an innovative approach to reduce digital exclusion among older adults. This covers increasing confidence with digital technologies, building understanding of AI and helping people protect themselves against scams and misinformation. By providing accessible support in trusted community spaces, its programmes have engaged people who may never access formal learning otherwise. Learners report feeling less intimidated by technology and more able to navigate increasingly digital services.

Quantum Group is equipping people of all backgrounds with green skills training to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Learners gain practical expertise in retrofit technologies, energy efficiency and sustainable construction, enabling them to access future-focused careers. Training is also focused on addressing critical skills shortages in sectors essential to achieving net-zero goals. By aligning learning closely with industry requirements, the organisation is strengthening employability while helping employers secure the talent required for decarbonisation projects.

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s employment and skills service, BD Works, is coupling efforts to combat unemployment and drive environmental sustainability. The service is providing direct pathways into construction roles that have a strong focus on improving local public spaces. Programmes are also increasing awareness of environmental responsibility within construction and supporting good practice. Learners report developing confidence, work-readiness and understanding of social value alongside technical skills.

BT Group is investing in AI, data and apprenticeship learning at scale to both improve organisational performance and support social mobility. Staff are being equipped with future-ready skills that increase productivity, confidence and career opportunities. Learning has generated measurable business improvements and created opportunities for people who may otherwise struggle to access high-quality careers.

The Bedford College Group is strategically harnessing AI and digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. By using emerging technologies to create more personalised feedback and more engaging learning experiences, the group supports learners to develop the skills, critical thinking and professional competencies needed for future employment. Staff also benefit from improved resources and greater time for learner support.

Greater London Authority (GLA) is embedding adult learning within a city-wide economic growth strategy. Learning is supporting large numbers of residents into employment, further study and sectors critical to London’s future growth. GLA programmes are also designed to increase workforce participation and improve outcomes for underrepresented groups. By linking skills provision with employment support, health and other services, the approach aims to ensure that economic growth is inclusive.

City of Doncaster Council has created a local learning ecosystem linking education, employers and communities. The council is increasing learning participation among disadvantaged groups, improving progression into employment and strengthening local skills pipelines. Programmes seek to raise aspirations, build confidence and connect residents to economic opportunities while responding to employer needs. The council is also working to maximise the community-wide benefits of adult learning, and drive forward innovative initiatives like digital badging and micro-credentials.

Redbridge Institute of Adult Education has created a highly integrated approach to adult learning that meets people with different levels of need and supports continued progression. Educational and social exclusion are being tackled head on, with people gaining the building blocks of self-confidence and greater independence. Strong employer and community partnerships help provide routes into good employment, particularly for disadvantaged groups. Provision includes ESOL, English, maths, digital skills, specialist vocational training and sector-based employment programmes aligned directly to local labour market demand.

Lifetime Training is helping adult learners of all backgrounds gain qualifications, confidence, opportunities for promotion or entry into employment. This includes people who might otherwise be excluded from traditional education, such as those from deprived communities, care-experienced learners and career changers. Learning is tailored around individual circumstances and barriers, enabling sustained participation and achievement. This is helping individuals develop independence, confidence and long-term career prospects while addressing workforce needs across key sectors.

Channel 4 has developed an organisational culture of lifelong learning and inclusion. This empowers employees to develop resilience, leadership and digital skills, whilst strengthening organisational performance. Targeted professional development programmes are also in place to support people from different backgrounds.

Sellafield Ltd has made strategic investments in learning across technical, professional and leadership pathways. Employees gain qualifications, specialist expertise and opportunities to progress into critical roles that support national infrastructure and environmental sustainability. They also gain confidence and scope for personal growth.

Mark Taiani’s learning journey demonstrates extraordinary resilience, determination and personal transformation. Faced with the loss of his wife, alongside health issues that prevented him from continuing his long-term career in construction, Mark embraced learning as a pathway to a new beginning. Through Weston College’s pre-employment programmes, he developed new digital, employability and personal development skills. He went on to gain new qualifications, pass his bus driver test and secure a permanent role as a bus driver.

Grace Edge has taken a powerful new direction in learning, showing remarkable resilience in the face of personal obstacles to find purpose and achieve her goals. Grace had previously faced difficulties in education, mental health challenges and the loss of her father at 19 while caring for her newborn daughter. In 2024, she returned to learning, taking courses such as English, Health and Safety, and IT, as well as a number of online courses independently. This led to Grace securing full-time employment in the social housing sector in 2025 and she is continuing to learn and thrive.

Living with a stammer, dyslexia and visual impairment, Simbarashe (Simba) joined the Percussion Orchestra at City Lit’s Centre for Learning Disabilities Education five years ago, playing the xylophone. Through these weekly sessions, Simba has gone on to write his own music, perform publicly and take courses in photography, piano and sound arts. Simba has now joined the City Lit student panel and spoke at this year’s Learning Disabilities England conference sharing his experiences with a wider audience.