Enrichment activities can and should have intrinsic value. If young people enjoy and are positively challenged through enrichment, this improves their lives ‘in the moment’. However, enrichment can also significantly shape young people’s broader outcomes and life chances. Evidence shows that engaging in enrichment improves young people’s wellbeing, mental health and belonging – through reducing stress, enhancing social connection and combating
loneliness. Participation also helps to build important skills for work and life – promoting teamwork and collaboration, as well as fostering resilience and perseverance. It can widen horizons and raise aspirations – thereby supporting transitions into further work or study. Given all these positive benefits, it is unsurprising that a growing body of evidence is showing the positive impact of enrichment on school attendance and engagement, which is vital for closing
the attainment gap.

The proposed benchmarks are summarised in the table below, offering a contribution that can be further developed, providing a stimulus for deeper work