Our Impact
“The corps members are positive role models and seen as people who are able to help and support pupils when needed.”
Joanna Stuart, Head of Research at IVR
Showing impact
Corps members’ work is constantly being evaluated. The organisation seeks to capture in robust and objective ways the impact it has on children and young adults, even when that impact is by its nature slow and hard to measure.
At City Year we strive to have a “double impact”.
1 First, we aim to have a transformational impact on the children that we work with. In partnership with Heads and teachers we agree ‘team goals’ that we work towards at schools. These can include supporting children on a “focus list” by helping them with literacy or numeracy, or by providing consistent encouragement to enjoy learning and concentrate on school work. Corps members can help children overcome emotional, behavioural, academic or even physical challenges. The progress of pupils is tracked by teams and case studies are maintained to capture changes in children.
An independent evaluation of our work indicates that the presence of City Year is having a positive effect of schools and children in terms of attendance, behaviour and curriculum performance.
However the best evidence of our impact on children is felt by the very small and gradual differences that our corps members experience every day. Our Stories contains anecdotes of the changes our corps members experience following their support to the children.
2 Our second transformational impact is on the young people that serve with us for a year. Corps members grow as individuals during their time with City Year. New skills are developed, confidence is boosted and friendships are forged. Putting yourself forward for a year of helping children has a profound effect on people’s attitudes and aspirations in life. Our Life After City Year programme is designed to develop skills and readiness for future careers so through this work we hope that our corps members have gained the experience and training to give them a cutting edge in the jobs market.
Read about Our History.
Find our more about Our Team.
City Year’s first year evaluation
An independent evaluation of City Year London has found that teachers, pupils and volunteers are highly positive about the difference City Year is making to schools and children.
The report by the Institute for Volunteering Research identifies a range of positive impacts, from academic performance, improved behaviour of children and school climate, to the confidence, skills and career aspirations of City Year volunteers. Read More »
