Participatory Action Research 2025 High Level Summary
We're grateful to Impetus for providing an expert data analyst in the form of the wonderful Iman (Investment Manager), who supported all our PAR workshops, led data analysis, and guided discussions with the team—deepening our insights and strengthening our findings.
Here are her insights!
“You reached more people than ever - here’s what you made happen.”
By the numbers:
Text outreach:
928 messages sent (target: 958)
97% of our list reached - up from 705 last year
On average, each person sent 44 of their 45/46 assigned messages
Elshadi led the way, reaching out to 90 people!
Calls:
344 calls made (36% of our contacts)
84 calls answered which means 84 real conversations – I think the number is much higher – I worked with Hamza last week and know he made call that haven’t been recorded.
Last year: Researchers made 415 calls, but this year’s focus was more on texts
Kateryne made the most calls (45), Mobarak had the most conversations: 13 calls answered.
Survey responses:
82 responses (vs 91 last year)
Response rate: 8.8% (down from 13% last year, but we reached a much bigger group)
61% of responses (50) were from young people, and 39% from mentors – so we’ve got a good split between roles.
Where are people from?
37% didn’t share their location
Of those who did (52): 79% (41) were from London, 21% Brighton
What we learned about people’s Breadwinners’ Journeys:
Most young people are sticking around for more than one programme.
The most common answer? Two programmes! 26% of YP did two. That means those who responded are not just showing up once – they came back, built skills, and grew with Breadwinners.
Volunteer mentors usually join for one programme, but some do more. Most mentors (43% of respondents) complete just one, but quite a few go for two (28%). We even had a mentor who’s done four!
The big picture in terms of responses is:
You’re reaching more people than ever before-nearly 1,000 this year.
Most young people are trying more than one programme, showing real commitment and growth.
Volunteer mentors are sticking with us, but usually for one or two programmes.
London remains our biggest hub, but Brighton is growing.
Your calls and texts aren’t just numbers-they’re real conversations, building skills and community.
“Celebrate this: You’ve made Breadwinners more connected, more ambitious, and more supportive than ever. Every message, call, and response helps us understand and support the Breadwinners community better – and you’ve been the key to that.
”
Q1. Post programme destinations
Before sharing the data, ask: What do you think most people do after Breadwinners? Are they working, studying, volunteering, or something else?
What happens after Breadwinners?
For young people – 34% (17) go on to study. Another 32% are either working only (18%) or working and studying (14% = mixture).
For volunteer mentors:
38% are working – with another 16% saying they continued volunteering with Breadwinners.
Overall:
About 1 in 4 people are working (26%)
About 1 in 4 are studying (23%)
12% mix study and work
What does this tell us?
People take lots of different paths after Breadwinners.
Many keep learning, working, or giving back-showing growth and ambition.
Mixing things up (study + work, volunteering + skills) is totally normal.
A strong community remains – 12% said they continued to stay connected with BW.
Q2. Did Breadwinners connect or inspire you to anything after the programme
Here’s what we learned: 89% of respondents (66) - young people and mentors - said Breadwinners inspired them or connected them to something new after the programme.
Young People’s Journeys:
40% connected to job or work opportunities-this was the biggest impact.
19% were inspired to continue their studies or education.
15% built confidence or improved communication skills.
Mentors’ Journeys:
51% of responses from mentors said they were inspired to support refugees or social impact causes - the top response and/or continue volunteering.
17% said they were inspired to continue mentoring after the programme.
Why This Matters:
For young people, Breadwinners is a powerful launchpad into jobs, education, and building confidence - the foundations for future success.
For mentors, Breadwinners sparks a deeper commitment to social impact, volunteering, and mentoring, helping to create lasting change in the community.
Together, these journeys show Breadwinners is not just a programme but a community that inspires action, growth, and connection across different paths.
Q3. What’s the biggest change you’ve experienced since Breadwinners?
Most people report real change: Out of 71 people who responded to this question, 68 (83%) said they experienced a positive change since Breadwinners.
Multiple changes are common: Of those who reported a change, more than half named more than one way their life improved.
Young People:
Confidence is the #1 change: 30% said their confidence and self-belief grew.
20% gained new practical skills (customer service skills, how to write a CV etc).
15% progressed in jobs or career goals.
11% saw better wellbeing and mental health.
Mentors:
19% felt a stronger sense of community and belonging – This is the top of the list for mentors.
16% developed greater empathy and understanding for others.
Confidence and self-belief also prominent (16%).
Why this matters
Breadwinners isn’t just inspiring - it’s delivering real, lasting change:
Confidence and practical skills stand out as the biggest real-life shifts, especially for young people – the responses confirm that Breadwinners is a launchpad for personal growth and career progress.
For mentors: It’s about deepening empathy, belonging, and making a difference for others.
Q4. How did Breadwinners influence your career or life plans?
Most people felt Breadwinners made a difference: Out of 72 responses, 64 people (89%) said Breadwinners influenced their career or life plans.
Multiple influences are common: Among those who said yes, 1 in 5 people named more than one way Breadwinners shaped their next steps.
How YP say BW influenced their career or life plans:
Improved confidence, skills, or employability: 34%
24% BW helped clarify, confirm, or shift career plans (including new fields, roles, or ambitions).
Provided first work experience or job opportunity: 18%
Mentors:
Inspired or motivated to work, volunteer, or make a difference in the charity, social impact, or refugee/migrant sector: 64%
Why This Matters
For young people: Responses here confirm a lot of what we’ve learned from other questions which is that Breadwinners is a springboard for building confidence, skills, and employability - helping you take your next step, whether that’s a job, more study, or finding your direction.
For mentors: Breadwinners sparks a passion for social impact - most mentors are inspired to keep giving back, supporting refugees, or working in the charity sector.
Q5. What challenges have you faced in your career or next steps?
Facing challenges is the norm: Out of 64 people who responded, 53 (83%) said they’ve faced at least one challenge in their career or next steps.
Many faced more than one challenge: 32% of those who answered named two or more challenges. YP were more likely to name more challenges than mentors.
Young People:
Lack of job opportunities: 37% This is the most common challenge for young people - finding work isn’t easy!
Lack of confidence or self-doubt: 16%
Uncertainty about career direction: 10%
Language barriers, discrimination, legal barriers, lack of networks/support: Each affected about 8%
Mentors:
Lack of job opportunities: 27%
Lack of work experience or skills: 18%
Discrimination, cultural barriers, or non-recognition of experience/qualifications: 18% - Most of this was in response to barriers the YP they work with face
What the data tells us:
Nearly everyone faces challenges - sometimes more than one-on their journey.
For young people: The biggest barrier is finding job opportunities, but confidence, direction, and language can also be tough.
For mentors: Challenges are more spread out, including work experience, recognition of skills, and balancing life responsibilities.
Q6. How could Breadwinners better support you after the programme?
Most people see room for more support: Out of 62 responses, 58 (94%) suggested at least one way Breadwinners could better support them after the programme.
Many had more than one idea: Over 40% of respondents named two or more ways Breadwinners could help.
Young People:
Brokerage and employer connections: 38% Most want more help getting connected directly to jobs, apprenticeships, or employers.
Skills and employability development: 23% - Training, workshops, mentoring, volunteering, or other support to build employability, practical skills, or personal development.
Clearer communication and guidance/more follow up: 11% - Clearer instructions on how to join, participate, or stay involved; regular updates and information about the programme and opportunities.
Mentors:
Clearer communication and guidance/more follow up: 27% - Mentors want more follow up, clearer comms on how they can continue to stay involved.
Brokerage and employer connections: 24% - Mntors want to see more work done to actively help participants into employment.
Social events and general networking: 16%
Skills and employability development: 14%
To summarise:
For young people: The biggest ask is for more direct connections to jobs and employers – showing they’re ready to take the next step and want hands on support.
For mentors: Clearer communication, ongoing updates, and ways to stay involved matter most-reflecting your commitment to helping others and staying connected.