At Educafe, impact sits at the heart of everything we do. From our weekly Wednesday gatherings to the many activities, relationships and opportunities that grow beyond them, we are committed to understanding—and clearly demonstrating—how we make a difference to individuals, families and the wider community.
This page offers a transparent overview of what we measure, how we measure it, and why our impact is both wider and deeper than it may first appear.
A Unique Model: Accessible but opportunity rich
Educafe’s flagship event takes place once a week – but our impact stretches far beyond those few hours.
We often describe our model as very accessible to a wide range of people but with multiple deep pathways and opportunities. On the surface, you will see a weekly café-style gathering. But in reality, that single event is the starting point for:
- Ongoing conversations and relationships
- Training opportunities and pathways
- Creative, social and cultural experiences
- Volunteering and leadership development
- Partnerships across the community
As a result, while our weekly event may seem relatively contained, the ripple effect is extensive – which is why some of our figures may appear surprisingly large at first glance.
What We Measure
We take a multi-layered approach to measuring impact, combining quantitative data (numbers) with qualitative insight (stories and experiences).
- Participation and reach
We track how many people engage with Educafe and in what ways:
- Footfall and headcounts at weekly sessions
- Attendance figures across volunteers, visitors and partners
- Membership of WhatsApp groups and networks
- Social media followers and engagement
- Number of volunteers registered and active
We also consider the wider circle of influence:
- Families, partners and friends of participants
- Individuals reached indirectly through shared experiences
- Activity delivered
We measure the scale of what we provide:
- Hours of activity delivered (weekly, monthly, annually)
- Types of sessions (e.g. early years, language learning, wellbeing support)
- Volunteer-led and partner-led contributions
We also capture activity beyond Wednesdays, including:
- Volunteer training (e.g. safeguarding, food hygiene, podcast training)
- Workshops (e.g. First Aid, 4th Trimester support)
- Community events (e.g. Sanctuary Fair, Living Advent, V360)
- Wellbeing festivals, tours, scavenger hunts
- Excursions and trips
- Resource use and practical outputs
We also track tangible indicators that reflect engagement and scale, such as:
- Cups used and washed during sessions
- Materials and resources utilised
- Frequency of service use
While simple, these indicators help us build a detailed picture of how Educafe operates week to week.
- Financial Context and Value
To help funders and partners understand the true value of Educafe, we consider both:
Our Costs:
- Overheads such as consultants, accountants, IT systems and operations
- Session delivery costs and staffing
- Marketing & communications to all our audiences
- Resources and infrastructure
Comparable Market Values:
- Average cost of a coffee and cake in a commercial setting
- Typical costs of:
- Early years sessions
- Language classes
- Teacher and facilitator hourly rates
This allows us to demonstrate how Educafe delivers significant social value at a relatively low cost.
How We Calculate Impact
We aim to make our data as clear and transparent as possible. Many of our figures are built using simple, consistent calculations.
Example: Volunteer Contribution
Our volunteers are at the core of what we do.
A typical calculation might look like:
40 volunteers
× 45 weeks per year
× 3 hours per week
= 5,400 volunteer hours annually
To estimate the financial equivalent of this contribution:
5,400 hours × £13.45 (Real Living Wage)
= £72,630 of social value
This helps illustrate the substantial economic contribution made through volunteering alone.
The Impact Beyond the Numbers
While data helps us quantify our reach, not all impact can – or should – be reduced to numbers.
Some of the most meaningful outcomes we see include:
- Increased confidence and wellbeing
- Reduced isolation
- Stronger family relationships
- Pathways into employment, volunteering or education
- A deeper sense of belonging and community
How We Capture Lived Experience
To understand these ‘softer’ but vital impacts, we use a range of reflective and storytelling approaches.
Reflective practice
We invite volunteers, partners and team members to complete reflective practice forms after sessions. These capture:
- Significant conversations
- Observed changes or challenges
- Learning and development
- Outcomes for participants
For example, our partnership with Home-Start has been supported and evaluated through regular reflections submitted by lead volunteers in Parents Village, helping us track progress over time.
Case studies
We follow the journeys of individuals and families who engage with Educafe.
These case studies highlight:
- Personal development
- Barriers overcome
- Long-term outcomes
They bring our data to life and ensure that individual voices remain at the centre of our work.
Why Our Numbers Matter
For funders, partners and stakeholders, our reporting provides:
- Accountability – showing how resources are used
- Transparency – explaining how figures are calculated
- Evidence of need and impact
- Insight into community value
For us, it also supports:
- Continuous improvement
- Stronger partnerships
- Better services for those we serve
A Growing Picture of Impact
Educafe is not a static project – it is a dynamic, evolving network.
Every conversation, training session, shared experience or new connection contributes to a growing ecosystem of support and opportunity.
That is why our impact is best understood not just as a set of numbers, but as a living, expanding story of community, connection and change.
If you would like to explore this further, we encourage you to:
- Read our case studies.
- Explore our toolkit and resources.
- Get in touch to learn more about our approach or request Educafe’s Impact Guide
Together, these help build a fuller picture of how Educafe is making a difference – week by week, and far beyond Wednesdays.