Enrichment for All

In October 2025, Oasis, Big Education, Ormiston Trust, and the Duke of Edinburgh, launched ‘Enrichment for All’ — a coalition of youth, education, and civil society organisations working to ensure every young person has access to high-quality enrichment – regardless of background or life circumstances.

If we want to give children the best start in life, we need to focus on enrichment. Research from the Centre for Young Lives and Education Policy Institute show that enrichment leads to improved self-belief, wellbeing and belonging. It is crucial for building neighbourhoods where every child and can thrive and reach their God-given potential.

The launch followed a government announcement that £22.5 million has been put aside to expand enrichment opportunities in 400 schools and colleges in neighbourhoods facing disadvantage. The coalition seeks to put enrichment at the core of every child’s education and therefore seeks to influence how we can best optimise this crucial investment.

What is enrichment?

Enrichment refers to the broad range of activities and experiences that support young people’s social, personal, and educational development. This looks like after school clubs, volunteering, outdoor learning, arts and culture opportunities, sports, trips, social action, and other non-formal learning activities all led and supported by trusted adults.

Why enrichment matters

Enrichment changes lives. It gives every young person the chance to discover who they are, what they love and what they can do. It is key to transforming the lives of young people and therefore local neighbourhoods:

• It feels great in the moment – and lasts a lifetime.
  Enrichment lifts mood, builds confidence and gives young people the skills to thrive far beyond school.
• It boosts wellbeing and belonging.
  When young people take part in clubs, teams, arts or outdoor adventures, they feel healthier, happier and more connected.
• It builds the skills that matter.
  Teamwork. Creativity. Leadership. Problem-solving. These aren’t extras — they’re the foundations for life, work and citizenship.
• It opens doors.
  New experiences spark ambition, shape choices and help young people see futures they might never have imagined.
• It keeps pupils engaged.
  When school feels inspiring and joyful, attendance rises — and learning follows.
• It drives fairness.
  Every child deserves the same chance to explore, create and belong — not just those who can afford it.

Enrichment is not a nice-to-have. It’s how young people find their purpose, develop a sense of belonging and reach their potential.

We need change

Whilst many schools and organisations already offer excellent enrichment opportunities, access is not universal. Too often, enrichment depends on postcode, school funding, or parental income. Disadvantaged young people are least likely to access high-quality enrichment – despite standing to benefit the most. We want to change this.

The Enrichment for All coalition has four main goals to bring about this change:

• Movement: Build a movement across sectors committed to promoting enrichment and influencing ambition at a structural level.
• Insight: Build the evidence base for enrichment through deepening understanding of its impact, availability and quality.
• Influence: Inform and advance the enrichment agenda through providing analysis, stimulating debate and building relationships.
• Scale: Enable scale-up of enrichment across schools through analysis, testing and partnerships.

If you would like to join the coalition as an individual, community or organisation please visit: https://bigeducation.org/enrichment-for-all/

Every young person deserves the chance to grow, explore, and thrive. Together, we can make this a reality.