There is already strong evidence showing the health and wellbeing benefits of lifelong learning (though there is always room for more).
Some people use learning to manage health conditions. We recognise that lifelong learning isn’t a cure-all for health challenges. But can learning help people make healthier choices?
Can lifelong learning improve wellbeing through creativity in the community?
Can it offer relief from health conditions by providing new experiences?
Some stats from our WEA Impact Report:
🔬 99% of learners said that they felt improvements in their confidence, identity and self-belief
🧬 75% reported an improvement to their wellbeing by taking part in face-to-face courses
🔬 80% of learners reported the improvement by taking online courses
🧬 84% of people with pre-existing mental health conditions said lifelong learning improved their wellbeing
🔬 NHS research showed mental health problems cost the UK economy at least £117.9 billion per year.
🧬 Research from UCL found more than one million people a year are now being referred by GPs to social prescribing services.
