Community learning provides much more than access to courses. Across Liverpool, it helps residents build confidence, improve wellbeing, develop new skills, and take positive steps towards employment, volunteering, and further education.
For many people, especially those who have been away from education for some time, community-based learning can be the first step towards new opportunities.
Helping services make the best decisions
Earlier this year, Liverpool’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) worked with Liverpool City Council’s Adult Learning Service as it reviewed its community learning provision.
Like many public services, the team faced the challenge of making resources go further while continuing to support residents across the city. The shared goal was simple: ensure community learning continues to deliver the greatest possible benefit for Liverpool residents.
Bringing evidence, data and local knowledge together
HDRC provided support from across its teams, including:
- A rapid review of evidence and economic modelling to understand the wider value of community learning.
- Neighbourhood-level analysis to identify areas where learning opportunities could have the greatest impact.
- Workshops with staff to explore the full range of benefits that community learning delivers.
This work highlighted that community learning does not just improve skills. It also supports better health and wellbeing, reduces social isolation, builds confidence, and helps people move into further learning and employment.
A new tool for future planning
A key outcome of the partnership was the development of an interactive planning tool that allows decision-makers to test different scenarios and understand both the costs and benefits of potential changes.
Rather than focusing solely on short-term savings, the tool helps identify options that could deliver the greatest long-term value for residents and communities.
Better outcomes for Liverpool residents
The evidence and insights generated through the project have already helped inform changes to the community learning commissioning specification and support future planning.
What began as a short-term piece of work has developed into a valued partnership, demonstrating how evidence, data and local expertise can work together to improve decision-making.
Ultimately, the biggest beneficiaries are Liverpool residents. By using evidence to shape services, the city can help ensure that community learning continues to provide opportunities, improve wellbeing, and support people to reach their potential.
Find out more about the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) and get in touch in your have any questions: liverpool.gov.uk/hdrc
