Our Impact

15 years of changing lives in Stainforth

Since taking responsibility for Stainforth Community Library in 2011, S4ALL has developed from a community-run library into a trusted centre for employment, skills, digital inclusion and poverty relief.

We work in one of England’s most deprived communities, helping people overcome unemployment, low incomes, digital exclusion, isolation and the practical barriers that prevent them from moving forward.

Our Impact in Numbers

768

jobseekers supported through our employability programmes.

244

people helped to secure sustainable employment.

45

unemployed residents supported to establish businesses.

400+

people supported through digital-skills provision during one major programme alone.

200

computer tablets distributed to tackle digital exclusion.

145,000+

visits to Stainforth Community Library.

Helping People Into Employment

S4ALL has supported more than 768 jobseekers and helped at least 244 people secure sustainable employment—an overall employment outcome of approximately 30%.

Our Help 2 Work service provides individual support with:

CVs and job applications
Job searching
Interview preparation
Confidence and job-readiness
Access to vocational training
Universal Credit and online services
Identifying realistic routes into employment

Our monitoring consistently demonstrates positive outcomes. In one ten-month period, 92 people received Job Club support and 25 entered sustainable employment. In a subsequent reporting period, eight of 32 participants secured work and 95% reported improved confidence, skills or job-readiness.

Removing Financial Barriers to Work

People can be ready and willing to work but unable to afford the qualification, equipment or travel needed to begin.

Our Barrier Buster scheme has helped unemployed residents obtain:

CSCS cards and construction training
SIA licences
Forklift-truck qualifications
Personal protective equipment
Interview clothing
Transport to interviews, training and new workplaces
Other essential employment-related items

This practical assistance ensures that poverty does not prevent someone from accepting a job or entering a new industry.

Creating New Businesses

Over five years, S4ALL helped 23 unemployed people establish small businesses. When the businesses were reviewed in November 2025, 22 of the 23 were still trading.

We support people with viable skills and ideas who lack the money or knowledge needed to begin. Assistance can include business planning, choosing a legal structure, understanding tax responsibilities, establishing financial records and purchasing essential equipment.

This creates an alternative route out of unemployment and enables people to build an independent income from their existing skills.

Tackling Digital Exclusion

S4ALL has helped hundreds of local people gain essential digital skills.

During one ten-month programme alone, more than 400 people accessed digital-skills support, with 90% reporting increased skills or reduced isolation.

Our wider digital-inclusion achievements include:

200 computer tablets distributed
More than 20,000 hours of computer use provided
Free access to computers, internet and Wi-Fi
Help with emails, online forms and job applications
Support accessing benefits, healthcare and public services
Practical help with computers and mobile devices

Digital access is essential for finding employment and accessing everyday services. We ensure that people are not excluded because they cannot afford suitable equipment, lack internet access or have limited confidence using technology.

Developing Skills Through Volunteering

S4ALL provides volunteering opportunities that help people gain experience, build confidence and contribute to their community.

Across our two most recent completed monitoring periods, 22 new volunteers were recruited. In one period, nine of 11 remained actively involved and ten reported improved employability or readiness for work.

For people affected by unemployment or isolation, volunteering can provide an important first step towards training, education or paid employment.

Relieving Poverty and Hardship

We provide practical help to residents and families experiencing financial hardship.

Our recorded support has included:

Food hampers for elderly, vulnerable and isolated residents
At least 500 free meals for children during one monitored programme
Free breakfasts and activities through our Kids’ Club
Affordable clothing, books and household items through our charity shop
Warm-space provision and free hot meals
17 electric blankets for residents struggling with heating costs
Materials for more than 50 handmade warm items
Free computer and internet access
Employment-related qualifications and equipment
Seasonal gifts and food support

Our services address immediate hardship while helping people overcome the longer-term barriers that contribute to poverty.

Improving Children’s Life Chances

Our work with children and families is part of our wider commitment to reducing poverty and inequality.

Across two recent completed monitoring periods, at least 201 children participated in organised educational trips and pantomime visits. Further trips and activities have since taken place, including visits to the National Space Centre, Eden Camp and Cannon Hall Farm.

Our support has also included:

More than 400 Christmas presents distributed across two recent Christmas programmes
Hundreds of Easter eggs provided to local children
Free holiday activities and meals
At least 70 children’s activity days delivered during one programme
Weekly Kids’ Club sessions
Educational visits to museums, heritage sites and family attractions
Halloween, Easter and Christmas community events

These activities reduce pressure on low-income households and ensure that children are not denied educational, cultural and social opportunities because of their family’s financial circumstances.

Supporting Learning and Wellbeing

Our accessible community activities help people develop skills, improve their wellbeing and become less isolated.

Our Spanish group has delivered more than 100 sessions and supported over 50 learners. Other activities have included English classes, sewing, knitting, arts and crafts, digital learning and social groups.

For some people, joining a community group is the first step towards rebuilding confidence, volunteering, further learning or employment.

Sustaining a Community Library

Since becoming Doncaster’s first community-run library, S4ALL has recorded:

More than 145,000 library visits
More than 38,500 books issued
More than 4,600 enquiries answered by volunteers
More than 20,000 hours of computer use

The library is much more than a place to borrow books. It is a trusted and accessible point where residents can receive employment support, develop digital skills, use essential services and ask for help without stigma.

Reaching Thousands of Local People

One recent multi-year funded programme alone reached at least 2,250 unique beneficiaries.

Across S4ALL’s full history, our total reach is considerably greater. However, because many people use more than one service, we do not add every attendance or programme figure together and present it as a unique-person total.

Our real strength is the way our services connect. Someone may first visit the library to use a computer, receive digital support, join our Job Club, obtain a qualification through Barrier Buster funding and ultimately move into employment.

This joined-up approach allows S4ALL to relieve immediate hardship while helping people create lasting improvements in their lives.

Figures are drawn from S4ALL service records, monitoring reports and published articles. “At least” and “more than” are used where historic records provide a confirmed minimum rather than a complete lifetime total. Individual beneficiaries may access more than one service.