1. “It can be life changing – peer mentoring with the
project. It is better than any pay rise to see the
impact. I feel 10ft tall.”
Natalie, Peer Mentor
“They take time to find out about the individual
and then find an appropriate response. It is a more
understanding approach.”
Tim, Project Participant
LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
Oxfam’s years of experience has shown us that everyone has
the ability and assets to manage and improve their lives. Our
Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (the SLA), developed in the
global south and now used here in Wales, helps people develop
the assets they already have in life, rather than focussing on
what they don’t have. It empowers them to have a stake in their
community and improve the services they rely on.
The Building Livelihoods and Strengthening Communities
in Wales project shows that this approach works here, and
should be embedded in Welsh Government’s tackling poverty
programmes. The Livelihoods project has worked in nine diverse
communities across Wales, tackling poverty and providing a
strong return on investment.
The project, run between 2012 and 2016, was funded by Big
Lottery Fund and Unilever.
OVER
1,100
beneficiaries
103 Peer
Mentors
trained
£4.39 RETURN
for every
£1 invested
Oxfam Cymru’s Livelihoods Project
Surviving to Thriving:

2. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• 636 beneficiaries gained new skills and/or confidence
• 648 were more involved in community activities
• 489 accessed more or better services
• 303 improved their livelihoods measurably, with an average increase
of 16.8 percentage points
• 91 took up voluntary placements
• 90 found employment
Oxfam is a registered charity in England and Wales (No: 202918) and Scotland (No: SCO 039042). Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International.
Design & Print by Slicker Designs www.slickerdesigns.co.uk
FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN
The Oxfam Livelihoods project has achieved the following value (over
three years):
£1,376,181 in gross fiscal value (savings for the state)
£688,568 in gross economic value (activities that create value for
the economy)
£3,388,018 in gross social value (wider social benefits for individuals)
Factoring in input costs and opportunity costs, the overall net value
generated by the Oxfam Livelihoods project is £5,452,767.
The value ratio for the Oxfam Livelihoods project’s outcomes is 4.39:1 –
in other words, for every £1 invested, it produces a return of £4.39.
For more information contact:
Oxfam Cymru
Market Chambers, 5-7 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AT
Phone: 0300 200 1269 Email: oxfamcymru@oxfam.org.uk
“The Livelihoods worker was
the only person that could
help. She’s helped me in
every way she possibly can.
I’ve had so much help getting
myself back on my feet.
She’s helped me to do loads
of things I didn’t know were
available.”
Project Participant, North Wales
“By working with the
Livelihoods project we
have been able to engage
local residents, who we
had otherwise struggled to
engage. In particular it has
highlighted the issues that
marginalised women face
and helped us to consider
best practice when working
alongside them.”
Key Stakeholder
“There are no words to describe what it has done for me. It has opened up a
world of opportunities. I feel I owe so much and I want to pay it back.”
Julie, Project Participant