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UpRising Leadership Programme
Impact Evaluation Report
Executive Summary
Sarah Shimmin Gilbert
Georgina Anstey
Richard Piper
UpRising is a leadership development programme dedicated to supporting and
building the capability of young adults. It seeks to create the next generation of
effective and connected leaders across the public, private and voluntary sectors. The
combination of leadership training, mentoring and campaigning means that young
people can gain personally from the programme and give back to their local
communities. Since 2008, UpRising has worked with over 200 young adults in the
London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
“UpRisers” are aged 19–25 and come from diverse backgrounds, and participants are
selected on the basis of assessment and undertake a one year programme.
In January 2011, the Young Foundation asked NCVO Consultancy to help it
understand the longer-term impact of the UpRising programme on UpRisers from
Years One and Two. Overall, there is very strong evidence that UpRising has been
successful in having a positive impact on the young people who took part and their
subsequent actions in communities. This summary highlights some of the headline
findings within this report. The findings coalesce around themes which are outlined
below and each of these finding is discussed in detail within the report.
Life Choices
UpRising appears to have made a significant, positive impact on choices UpRisers
have made about their lives since graduating from the programme, with 54%
reporting that they have made and acted upon choices that affect their lives
significantly. Early indications suggest that in the future the number of UpRisers
whose life choices are influenced to some extent by UpRising could be as high as
70%. 17% of UpRisers plan to make different choices about their lives but have not
yet had opportunity to act upon these. 29% of UpRisers said that their life choices
have not been influenced by their experiences on UpRising and cite other
commitments or priorities as the key reason for this.
Beliefs and Perceptions
UpRising appears to have been successful in creating a change at some level in many
of the UpRisers. 58% of UpRisers reported that they increased their confidence
through UpRising. 63% appear to have shifted their attitudes in some way and 63%
changed their self-perceptions through their experiences with UpRising.
Overall, it appears that many of the UpRisers interviewed perceived themselves to
be amongst potential leaders of the future and evidence suggests that these
leadership aspirations span across the public, private and voluntary sectors, in
employment, education and community work. There is also evidence that UpRising
has nurtured some UpRisers’ desires to lead with a social conscience.
Skills, Knowledge and Awareness
The most common skills that UpRisers felt they had improved through UpRising were
public speaking and presentation skills, networking and confidence. 33% of UpRisers
also reported that they developed leadership as a specific skill. UpRising had the
broadest impact on communication skills in general.
A number of UpRisers reported an increase in their knowledge and awareness as a
result of taking part in UpRising. This was primarily increased knowledge of politics
and how to influence decision making, increased awareness and understanding of
different people and of different career options open to them.
Building Relationships
For many UpRisers building relationships appears to have been an important benefit
of the programme and some reported tangible, positive outcomes from connections
they made. The spectrum of impact ranges from simply meeting people, to building
significant and meaningful friendships or professional relationships which have led to
something positive.
All UpRisers expanded their social networks to some degree and 83% have taken
action to develop these contacts. 96% of UpRisers said that they expanded their
professional networks to some extent through UpRising and 70% of these individuals
have taken action to develop these contacts. 63% of UpRisers interviewed reported
that their relationship with their UpRising mentor was a positive experience. Where
these relationships worked well they appear to be of great benefit to the UpRisers.
Making a Change
UpRisers commonly described their feelings of personal responsibility and desire to
contribute to their communities and improve the world around them. UpRising has
made an impact on individual attitudes and motivation to create social change, and
it also appears to be having an indirect impact on communities, through UpRisers.
79% of UpRisers interviewed are currently contributing to their communities or
trying to influence social change. 33% of these were already doing so before
UpRising and 46% were influenced to contribute because of UpRising.
Overall, UpRising brings together diverse groups of talented young people and
equips them with skills, knowledge, confidence or perceptions to help them turn
their ideas and passion into actions aimed at improving society and their
communities. Whether demonstrated through their job role, through volunteering or
through a position of public leadership they aspire to, UpRising takes a considered
and effective approach to developing public leaders.