This study focused on a unique action research project called the Centre for Academic Achievement (CAA). This university based study involved planning, implementing, evaluating and improving an afterschool academic enrichment courses for promising learners from a socio-economic disadvantaged background. This qualitative study investigated whether this short-term educational intervention had any academic or social effects on the students attending courses at the CAA. The research was framed within a participatory worldview with social constructivist elements. This philosophical stance led to the choice of action research being embraced for the study. This method was reinforced with critical theory, and it was hoped that this piece of action research would lead to some level of social change for the participants. Focus groups, interviews and surveys were the analytical tools used. After two cycles of action research four main themes regarding the influence and effects of the study emerged: -There are academic benefits for promising learners that attend enrichment programmes. -An increase in self-esteem for disadvantaged students may be linked to attending enrichment programmes -The importance of fostering links between school, university & socio-economic disadvantaged communities is recognised. -The importance of using action research to improve programme development & also to help improve the lives of participants is suggested. The researcher acknowledges that this study is on a very small scale but has shown that a degree of social change for the better has occurred during the research.