Thanks to the Every Londoner Counts initiative, funded by The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, this inspiring partnership has trained 61 DWP staff to become Numeracy Champions, equipping them with the tools to guide others on their numeracy journeys and foster positive change.
Raising awareness of existing numeracy provision
In June 2023, Connor Nevard, DWP Borough Partnerships Manager for Lambeth, recognised a gap in how numeracy courses and resources, such as those available through the government’s three-year ‘Multiply’ initiative to improve adult numeracy, were being utilised.
Despite their availability, claimants often didn’t seek support for their number confidence, and staff struggled to identify those in need, particularly those facing maths anxiety.
After learning about National Numeracy’s Numeracy Champions training, Connor immediately saw the potential for transformation.
By August 2023, the South London Senior Leadership Team agreed to implement the programme across the entire South London DWP team.
Staff were trained to become Numeracy Champions, taking an active role in encouraging others to embrace numbers with confidence.
Reflecting on the initiative, Connor said:
“A lack of confidence or competence with numbers can hold people back in life, and that is why I jumped at the chance to help raise awareness, confidence and skills so people can get on with numbers.
“Being a Numeracy Champion was a great opportunity for me to think more critically about the different challenges that individuals, partners, stakeholders and customers face when it comes to numbers, and what I can do to help.”
Expanding the Numeracy Champions training programme across London
National Numeracy's online Numeracy Champion training received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Inspired by this success, a South London Champion introduced the programme to Kam Patel, Partnership Manager for London and Essex, who saw its potential to make a huge impact.
Together, DWP and National Numeracy hosted engagement sessions that led to a surge in interest, with even more staff signing up to become Champions.
Now, there are 61 fully trained Numeracy Champions across DWP London, each committed to supporting others and creating a culture of confidence around numbers.
Exploring the right resources for different job roles
The partnership didn’t stop at Numeracy Champions training – ongoing support, workshops, and shared resources have become integral parts of the programme.
In March, an in-person workshop at Kennington Park Jobcentre brought Champions together to explore how numeracy skills could be applied in various roles, from work coaches to case managers.
Some Champions have the capacity to deliver “Time to Talk Numbers” sessions directly to claimants, while others are more likely to guide people towards the National Numeracy Challenge, a free online tool designed for adults to enhance everyday maths skills.
One of the main roles of a Numeracy Champion is to help support others with their number confidence and the workshop also explored how they could share their learnings from the training with other staff members to raise further awareness across the DWP of the resources available, including the National Numeracy Challenge. Some DWP Numeracy Champions even joined in with Big Number Natters for National Numeracy Day.
Connor Nevard, DWP Borough Partnerships Manager for Lambeth, said:
“Encouraging my DWP colleagues to take up the Numeracy Champion training has equipped a range of colleagues with the skills and resources to talk numbers; The Value, Belief and Persistence framework enables our colleagues, from work coaches and disability employment advisors, to our colleagues working in prisons and managers leading teams in Jobcentres, to dispel myths and create a forward thinking approach to improving numeracy skills.
“Not only will the training help start an important conversation, but hopefully lead to a continuous improvement in mindset and learning that will help individuals progress, both personally and professionally in employment and training.”
How to get involved with Numeracy Champions training
National Numeracy’s work with the DWP hasn’t ended yet – we are continuing to recruit and train Numeracy Champions until January 2025.
If you’re a member of the DWP team in London and would like to become a Numeracy Champion, you can register here.
What learners have to say about Numeracy Champions training
The impact of the Numeracy Champion training is best captured through the voices of those who’ve taken part.
Here’s what DWP London Champions had to say:
"I was worried I didn’t know enough about maths to be on this course, but it really opened my eyes, I absolutely loved it!"
“Before I attended, I wasn't sure I would get much out of it, but I have been pleasantly surprised. I will champion the support and help from National Numeracy and local authorities we work with.”
“I found the training really engaging, positive, and full of practical ideas.”
“It was a good workshop and made me think and start to have conversations with myself and others.”
“It was an extremely useful course, with so many ideas to take forward.”
As these Champions work to inspire others, the ripple effect of their training is already being felt across London.
By promoting number confidence, the DWP and National Numeracy are paving the way for personal and professional growth – because every Londoner counts.
