Lifelong Learning Labs: Connecting Communities

How can learning bring us together?

Technology connects us like never before. We can access the world from a computer or phone.

Yet, more people report feeling lonely and isolated.

Community activities and volunteering are declining. Places where people used to meet, like churches and pubs, are disappearing.

Learners on WEA courses say they meet people they wouldn’t usually encounter and often make new friends. Social aspects of learning matters a lot to them.

Some stats from our Impact Report:

🔬 86% of people at WEA made new friends
🧬 64% met people from different backgrounds
🔬 WEA has 700 volunteers

🧬 Health Survey for England 2024 showed 22% of adults felt lonely some of the time. 29% of those aged 16 to 24 were feeling lonely at least some of the time compared with 15% of those aged 65 to 74
🔬 Community Life Survey 2024/25 found 17% of adults had participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months. Rates of formal volunteering have declined from a high of 27% in 2013/14

Three learners sitting around a table drinking coffee and laughing

Give us your thoughts

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning.

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Where would/do you go to meet new people in your local area? Would an adult learning course be something you would consider?
🧪 Have you made a new friend through learning?
🧪 Why do you think more people are lonely or isolated?
🧪 What would help make people more connected?
🧪 What would make it easier for you to take part in volunteering? What do you think most stops people even if they want to?
🧪 What would make people more likely to vote in elections? Do you think participation in elections would increase if there were more opportunities to learn about the issues?