Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum, and Manchester Hub was founded in August 2019 as space for young people to get together to create impact projects in Greater Manchester, as well as the wider Global Shapers Network. Manchester hub has had over 40 members since it was founded, and started the Digital Pi project in November 2020.
The Digital Pi project was formed by Flaviu, Jamie, Theo, Vishal and Jenny in recognition that digital exclusion affects up to 1.2 Million people in Greater Manchester, and this was partially due to lack of access to devices and coaching to help them get started. With this in mind, the hub formed a fundraising project to buy devices and give them to those without access. Through our research, the hub identified the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which provides affordable computing devices packaged with learning materials, guidance and a CoderDojo network.
Our aim was to raise £1000, which would cover the cost of 15 Raspberry Pi 400 Devices and accessories (linked*) to give away. Our hub members did endurance challenges (100 km in 20 days) and Euro sweepstakes at work, managing to raise the funds by August 2021.
During this time, hub members joined the Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Taskforce to learn best practice and be inspired by the efforts of organisations across Greater Manchester to fix the digital divide. Through these insights and discussions, we decided to research organisations that support young people to learn digital skills to ensure the devices were put to good use. We reached out to IntoUniversity North Manchester to see if they had the capacity to use the Raspberry Pi 400 devices in the sessions they deliver to their students. After a year, due to a change in their curriculum focus, IntoUniversity kindly returned the devices so they could be gifted to another support organisation.
At this point we connected with Lisa who co-runs Manchester CoderDojo to provide the Raspberry Pi devices to support the great work they do. Jamie and Azhar went to visit Manchester CoderDojo in action (pictures below) earlier this month at the Manchester Technology Institution on Oxford road and were blown away by the supportive environment they have created. For the benefit of the Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Taskforce, Lisa will share about the history, ethos and impact of Manchester CoderDojo.
Manchester CoderDojo is a volunteer-led community group for young people to learn to code. The CoderDojo movement is formed of a global network of Dojos and the community of volunteers and children that make them happen.
At CoderDojo, we believe that:
- An understanding of programming languages is important in today’s world
- It is easier to learn these computing skills early
- Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to code
Manchester CoderDojo started December 2012, with around 20 youngsters at MadLab Manchester. This was when computing was not part of the curriculum. It soon grew too big to fit everyone, so from July 2013, it moved to Sharp Project. Over the years, the number of youngsters attending each session ranged from 70 to maximum of 90!
This photo was taken for our 1st anniversary.
During lockdown, the team was able to continue the sessions online.
From 2022, the dojo was moved to Ada college Manchester in the city centre. The numbers are lower than before but when Ada moves to their new building next year, we will be able to increase the attendees again.
This was taken for our 10th birthday last December!
Over the years, most of the youngsters we have kept in touch with have continued into studying STEM subjects in universities and also on to STEM careers.
The main feedback we get from parents is that they know their kids are interested in computers but they don’t know how to help them. Most of them don’t have the equipment either. This is why the volunteers continue to run this dojo!
Closing thoughts
Handing the devices to organisations that can ensure young people can consistently benefit from, and be coached in their use, was the critical impact measure of our projects. Although the Raspberry Pi technology is a wonder within itself, places such as Into University and Manchester CoderDojo are where digital inclusion happens in real time. Building a sense of community and a structured service offer as a voluntary organisation are the foundations that we must build upon in our continued efforts to support all in accessing the many benefits and opportunities of technology. I strongly believe in Greater Manchester Digital Inclusions Taskforce’s approach to coordinate our efforts so we are working together to fix the digital divide across Greater Manchester. MCR Hub looks forward to creating more impact projects in the same spirit and making more inspiring connections within the taskforce.
Acknowledgements
- Thanks to fellow Shapers at Manchester Global Shapers Hub
- Inspiration and Resources from MCR Digital Inclusion Workforce
- Technology and learning resources from Raspberry Pi Foundation
- Students support from IntoUniversity North Manchester
- Young people support and coaching at Manchester CoderDojo
Global Shapers Manchester 