UCL evaluation - learn more about the impact of our services
We are delighted to have benefitted from two years of evaluation by the Sociology department at the University of Central London (UCL). This research was conducted to evaluate the value of our work supporting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants with English language learning.
Benefitting from detailed data analysis, interviews and focus groups, this external research gives a detailed understanding about the impact of our services, the importance of our volunteers, and how we can improve what we do.
Please find below links to the UCL Year 1 and Year 2 research summaries. These provide an overview of why and how the research was conducted, a summary of key insights, and recommendations for how to enhance the delivery and impact of our services in future.
The first year UCL evaluation identified the ways in which LEAH makes a significant difference to the lives of those we support. Clients are shown as making progress in English, being able to better support their children and families, engage with schools, GPs and health services, progress in education and / or work. All of which has a positive impact on their health, wellbeing and future opportunities.
For the second year UCL evaluation, our volunteers were the key focus due to the vital role they play in LEAH’s service delivery. Many of our incredible team of volunteers contributed to focus groups and surveys, creating a wealth of information and quotes that were included in the report.
Volunteers are shown to be very supportive of LEAH’s work, and grateful for the ongoing training and development opportunities that are offered. Which is what we do in return for their invaluable dedication.
There were a few challenges and barriers identified through the evaluations, most of which we are already working on to address. However, we were happy to read that the evaluation demonstrated how LEAH provides ‘a service very resource efficient that no other national or local more formal services could match’.
Many thanks to our clients and volunteers for supporting this external research, and for sharing their experiences, which is vital in helping us to improve what we do.
Thanks to Dr Olga Cara, Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity, University College London. Grateful thanks also to our funder, The Rayne Foundation, for providing LEAH with the opportunity to demonstrate the value and impact of our work.
