The Greater London Authority (GLA) commissioned Learning and Work Institute to undertake a mapping exercise of social prescribing to adult education to improve Londoners’ mental health. This report focuses on how social prescribing to adult education works in London, the challenges faced and ways to improve it. The Learning the way to improve mental health and wellbeing guide accompanies the Social prescribing into adult education in London research. This guide aims to bring health and social care services and adult education providers closer together and is both for managers and practitioners who provide social prescribing and who provide adult education.

This report, commissioned by the GLA and produced by the Learning and Work Institute, aims to identify barriers to participation and achievement in basic English and maths training (at level 2 and below) and highlight examples of good practice that can be used to support London’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) providers to deliver improved social and economic outcomes for learners. This includes recommendations for providers, and the GLA as the commissioning authority, based on the different stages of the learner journey including, engagement and recruitment, motivation and retention, progression and achievement, and some cross-cutting recommendations that run through each of the stages.

This report, commissioned by the GLA and produced by the Learning and Work Institute, aims to identify barriers to participation and achievement in basic English and maths training (at level 2 and below) and highlight examples of good practice that can be used to support London’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) providers to deliver improved social and economic outcomes for learners. This includes recommendations for providers, and the GLA as the commissioning authority, based on the different stages of the learner journey including, engagement and recruitment, motivation and retention, progression and achievement, and some cross-cutting recommendations that run through each of the stages.

Ask Research were commissioned to undertake research on the delivery of transferable skills through GLA adult skills funding in London. This research aims to improve the GLA's understanding on the delivery and impact of transferable skills on learners' economic and social outcomes. It provides a qualitative deep dive into the need for and impact of transferable skills provision and the challenges, approaches to and success factors in the delivery of transferable skills. This report includes recommendations for the GLA, providers and employers on how to engender a more consistent understanding and delivery of transferable skills and how to support more Londoners to gain these vital skills.

In September 2023, Learning and Work was commissioned by the GLA to conduct research into the impact of the rising cost of living on London’s adult education landscape. GLA data shows that in 2023, 17% of Londoners were ‘struggling financially’, and another 30% were ‘just about managing’. Increased inflation also impacted the cost of doing business for London’s skills providers and Further Education (FE) workforce. This report and the summary report are based upon a survey, depth interviews and focus groups with learners, providers, and third sector organisations that provide and campaign for people on low incomes. The fieldwork took place between November 2023 and March 2024. The research provides an account of the impact of the rising cost of living on London’s FE sector.

A 2017 report making recommendations for developing a long-term plan for Adult Community Learning in London.

A 2017 report making recommendations for developing a long-term plan for Adult Community Learning in London.