The research assesses the impact of RE N-GAGE, which works with young people who are at risk of exclusion or already excluded from school, known to youth offending teams and facing barriers to education, employment and wider participation.
Through sport-led mentoring, structured programmes and long-term support, RE N-GAGE helps participants rebuild confidence, develop life skills and re-engage with society.
Produced by the Bidwells Environment Society Economy team on a pro bono basis, the Economic and Social Value Assessment is the first independent analysis of RE N-GAGE’s economic footprint, social value contribution and the long-term cost savings created by its work.
Using both conventional economic assessment methods and a bespoke analytical approach tailored to early intervention charities, the research estimates that RE N-GAGE generates a combined economic and social value of £708,400 per year. Based on the charity’s operating costs, this equates to £2.00 of value created for every £1 spent.
More significantly, the assessment finds that RE N-GAGE’s core programmes, including its flagship STRIDE mentoring course and follow-on support through Stay N-GAGED, deliver substantial long-term savings by reducing school exclusion, unemployment and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Conservatively, these programmes are estimated to save public services approximately £1.6 million per year, equivalent to £4.52 for every £1 invested, while also improving participants’ earning prospects by more than £265,000 annually.
The findings draw on detailed analysis of education, employment, health, justice and welfare costs, alongside in-person interviews with programme participants. These interviews highlighted marked improvements in confidence, communication skills, behaviour and long-term aspirations, with many young people describing RE N-GAGE as a stable, supportive alternative to environments that had previously failed them.
Mark Teasdale, Head of Environment, Society and Economy at Bidwells, said:
“Early intervention is often talked about in abstract terms, but this research puts hard numbers around what it can achieve in practice. RE N-GAGE shows how targeted, sport-led mentoring can change young people’s life trajectories, reduce pressure on public services and deliver meaningful value to society.
“In the research, we took a deliberately prudent approach to ensure that the benefits were not overstated. Even so, the huge scale of the public savings identified underlines the case for sustained investment in preventative programmes for at-risk young people.”
Roger Roberts, Trustee Chairman at RE N-GAGE, said:
“We see the impact of our work every day in the lives of the young people we support, but having that impact independently quantified is hugely important. This assessment strengthens the case for investing in early intervention and gives funders and partners clear evidence of the value these programmes create.
“Most importantly, it reinforces a simple truth – that supporting young people instead of ignoring or punishing them improves their outcomes, and has major benefits for wider society.”
Mags Davison, CEO of RE N-GAGE said:
“Our work has spanned over 5 years and has now supported over 340 young people, and while we could see the positive impact this has had on our young people, their parents and siblings, this is the first time we have had independent quantifiable proof of our impact. We are indebted to Mark Teasdale and his team at Bidwells for all the time and energy they have given to our charity. Not only does this report prove that our programme works in supporting young people who may otherwise remain ‘school excluded’ and therefore not reach their potential, it has also supported our grant applications, bolstering the financial support needed to continue our much-needed work.”
The report was launched at RE N-GAGE’s City of London lunch on Thursday, 12 February 2026. Guests heard speeches from former rugby union player Phil Vickery and young people directly supported by the charity.
