Skills4Living pilot evaluation report
In early 2025, Skills4Living launched in Greater Manchester across 11 colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers.
Over three months, more than 1,000 UK learners enrolled, with 487 actively engaging in topics ranging from mental health and gender equality to community building, climate change and global citizenship
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 90% could apply what they learned, 88% gained new knowledge, and 75% felt part of a community
Peer mentoring sparked early ripple effects, with 34 learners delivering 54 activities that reached 267 peers and generated more than 32 hours of engagement.
The pilot demonstrated that when learning is co-designed with young people and rooted in lived experience, the impact can be immediate and far-reaching.
This evaluation explores:
- What learners gained, contributed and discovered about themselves
- The methods used, from self-audits and peer activity logs to focus groups and city-wide polls
- The early impact of the pilot and its potential for scale
- The insights of young people, woven through every section
With thanks
This pilot evaluation was made possible through the generous support of the Oglesby Charitable Trust. We are grateful for their belief in the potential of young people and their role in shaping a healthier future.