Working Men’s College

The Working Men’s College provides a range of adult community learning classes to residents within their community and more widely, delivering learning to 3,840 learners in 2023/24. They provide a range of learning, including across creative arts, digital skills, languages, English and maths classes. Their courses provide not only a pivotal opportunity for adults in the community to upskill or for those who are out of work for various reasons, including ill-health, to get back into education and employment but are also key to tackling social isolation. They are often one of the only means of social interaction that learners have and are also crucial to fostering a sense of belonging and community for individuals. For example, 88% of learners on the college’s community provision (Get Into Learning and CTY) reported that the courses helped them to get out of the house. This in turn has had a notable impact on their mental health and wellbeing, with 86% reporting feeling happier or more light-headed, 71% feeling less stressed and 65% reporting that they had more self-respect.

The college also delivers ESOL classes, which can be key in supporting learners for whom English is not their first language to manage their own health. For example, 80% of learners on ESOL programmes at the college reported feeling more confident when they went to the doctor, dentist or hospital and 85% felt more confident to make appointments. As NHS England has recognised, people who speak little or no English are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes – with only 65% of people who could not speak English reporting good health in the 2011 census, compared to 88% of those who spoke English well – and are more likely to face healthcare inequalities, including significant barriers and delays in receiving care.

The college also delivers health and wellbeing specific provision, including classes on activities which support improved physical health and wellbeing, such as yoga and tai-chi courses, which are delivered in partnership with community organisations. Many participants in these classes might not otherwise have access to or be able to engage in physical and wellbeing activities due to a range of reasons, such as high cost or inability to travel. For many older learners, the class may be their only social engagement that week.