Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust

There was previously no extracurricular provision on the island to learn digital skills such as coding, and being geographically remote also makes it difficult for young people to access learning and skills opportunities. Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust, based on North Uist, works closely with primary and secondary schools across North and South Uist and identified a need for digital-skills workshops and extracurricular classes.

To engage local primary and secondary schools with extra-curricular activities that improve digital inclusion and give young people the opportunity to become the next generation of developers and digital technologists.

The Trust engaged five local primary schools and one secondary school, offering: introduction to coding; coding for children (primary); coding for young people (secondary, up to age 16); and digital-arts skills (basic interface design, web design, design for apps). An Aspiring Communities grant enabled the Trust to employ a full-time Education & Outreach Officer, while support from the Digital Xtra Fund enabled it to purchase the equipment needed and develop appropriate course material.