Looking Back: A Decade of Digital Inclusion

Mar 13
As we approach our 10th year, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on our early days and the incredible journey we’ve been on. Back then, we were out and about across Staffordshire and Cheshire, bringing digital skills directly into communities. Before maintenance costs became too high, we even had a dedicated van - a mobile classroom and workspace - allowing us to reach people where they needed us most.

From the very start, our focus has been on essential digital skills and skills for the future, engaging and inspiring everyone to embrace technology and the opportunities it brings. 
Along the way, we’ve worked with some fantastic people and organisations, and we’re incredibly grateful for the collaborations that have helped shape our work.

Maker Bootcamp (Funded by NatWest)

A two-week intensive programme designed to ignite entrepreneurial spirit. Participants gained business knowledge, digital skills, and valuable connections, helping them turn creative ideas into action.

Make App Club (Funded by Erasmus+)

In partnership with a team from Poland, we ran a programme focused on coding and digital design, fostering collaboration while building key digital skills.

Essential Life Skills (ELS)

We worked across Stoke-on-Trent for an entire academic year, helping students explore future skills. From coding and 3D design to digital creativity, video, and animation, we introduced young minds to the tools that will shape tomorrow’s world.

Wavemaker Makerspace

We established our very own makerspace—a hub for makers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Equipped with laser cutters, 3D printers, and prototyping tools, along with expert guidance, it became a space for hands-on innovation.

Higher Horizons Keele

Through our Full STEAM Ahead programme, we worked with university teams to inspire high school students, introducing them to higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths (STEAM).

Stoke Science Day

In partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we hosted a chaotic, exciting, and action-packed day of STEAM activities at King’s Hall, sparking curiosity and creativity in young minds.

Aspire Housing – Digital Inclusion

Working with Aspire Housing, we provided digital inclusion support, ensuring residents had the skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly digital world—from accessing online services to developing essential tech skills.

SHIFT Crewe – Future Skills on the Move

Through the SHIFT Crewe initiative, we took future skills training on the road in our mobile engagement van. From coding to digital creativity, we brought hands-on learning directly into communities.

PM Training Office Works

We supported PM Training students and apprentices by delivering essential digital skills training, helping them gain the confidence and knowledge needed to thrive in their careers.

Code Club

Our after-school coding clubs gave young people hands-on programming experience, developing their problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.

Stoke-on-Tech

A monthly meetup hosted by Wavemaker at the Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke on Tech brought together tech enthusiasts, developers, and digital creatives to share ideas, collaborate, and learn from industry speakers. Organised and sponsored by OCC Recruitment, it became a thriving space for networking and innovation in Stoke’s tech community.

YMCA Maker Workshops

We partnered with the YMCA to deliver laser cutting and design skills workshops, equipping participants with hands-on experience in digital fabrication and creative design. These sessions provided practical skills that could be used for employment, entrepreneurship, or personal projects.

Prince’s Trust – Get Started with Digital

As programme deliverers for The Prince’s Trust, we ran Get Started with Digital, an initiative aimed at helping young people gain practical digital skills to boost their confidence and employability. Through hands-on workshops, we introduced participants to digital tools and creative technology, setting them up for success in a digital world.

Cumbria and Lancashire NHS Trust – Digital Inclusion Roadshow

We partnered with Cumbria and Lancashire NHS Trust to deliver a Digital Inclusion Roadshow, helping patients and healthcare professionals understand and access digital health services. This initiative focused on improving digital confidence, ensuring people could manage their health and wellbeing through online tools and resources.

Appetite Big Feast – Sharing Digital Creativity

As part of the Appetite Big Feast festival, we showcased how digital technology can be a tool for creativity, engagement, and storytelling. From interactive digital art to hands-on creative tech workshops, we helped people explore new ways of using digital tools for artistic expression.

NHS 70 Stoke-on-Trent Pop-up – Improving Health in the Digital Age

To celebrate 70 years of the NHS, we hosted a digital health pop-up in Stoke-on-Trent, showing people how technology can improve healthcare access. We demonstrated NHS apps, digital GP services, wearable health tech, and other tools designed to help people manage their health in a digital-first world.

City of Culture 2021

We were proud to be a key digital partner in Stoke-on-Trent’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021. Our role involved showcasing the power of digital storytelling, immersive technology, and creative digital engagement. We worked on projects that celebrated the city’s cultural identity, using digital tools to connect communities, amplify voices, and share Stoke-on-Trent’s unique creative landscape with the world.

Derby QUAD – World Minecraft Day

We teamed up with Derby QUAD to host a Minecraft Day, where young people explored digital creativity through Minecraft. The event focused on problem-solving, teamwork, and digital design, showcasing how gaming can be a gateway to coding, architecture, and creative thinking.
We took plenty of photos along the way, capturing the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm of those we’ve worked with. We’ve rooted out this video montage from the Wavemaker archives - it’s a bit rusty, but packed with fantastic memories!

We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but this is just the beginning. We’ve got big ideas, new initiatives, and even greater ambitions as we continue our mission to bridge the digital divide.

Wavemaker - Bridging the Digital Divide.
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