Code Club has been awarded £25,216 by Manx Lottery Trust to buy new laptops and equipment for young people learning digital skills across the island.

The grant will fund a new fleet of 16 MacBook Air laptops, together with charging equipment, protective cases and accessories.

The devices will be used during Code Club’s weekly sessions, workshops, competitions and community events, covering areas including coding, robotics, physical computing, artificial intelligence and digital making.

Code Club’s shared laptops play an important role in ensuring its activities remain accessible to children and young people, including those who may not have access to suitable technology at home.

Its existing devices were purchased in 2022 and have been used extensively by hundreds of young people. However, as software and educational tools have continued to develop, the laptops have experienced diminishing performance and compatibility, creating a growing risk of disruption to the charity’s programmes.

The new equipment will provide Code Club with a reliable and consistent platform from which it can continue delivering high-quality digital skills education for many years to come. Chair and founder of Code Club, Owen Cutajar, said: ‘We’re very grateful to Manx Lottery Trust for making this possible.

‘At Code Club, we want every young person to have the chance to discover what they can create with technology. Having access to a dependable laptop should never be the thing that holds them back.

‘These laptops will give our young people the tools to turn their ideas into something real, whether that’s writing their first program, bringing a robot to life or exploring artificial intelligence.

‘For our volunteers, reliable equipment means more time spent helping young people learn and experiment. This support will make a lasting difference, helping us nurture the skills, confidence and curiosity of the island’s next generation.’

Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, David Christian, added: ‘Digital skills are increasingly important in education, employment and everyday life, and Code Club is doing valuable work to ensure young people across the island can access these opportunities.

‘The community awards programme supports projects that make a meaningful and lasting difference within our island community. We are delighted to provide this grant, which will help Code Club maintain the quality and accessibility of its programmes and continue inspiring the next generation.’

The club says the refreshed equipment will support its activities across the island, helping to reduce barriers to participation and provide children and young people with practical, hands-on experience of technology.

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