Across Cornwall, access to digital education is under pressure. With Computer Science GCSE options shrinking in many schools, young people are increasingly left without a pathway into the digital and creative tech careers that are growing across the region. At the same time, many adults remain excluded from the digital tasks that everyday life now depends on.

In this context, support from the Lyskerrys Fund has been vital. It has enabled Liskeard Library to strengthen its role as a trusted hub for digital learning.

Introduction

With the support of the Lyskerrys Fund, Liskeard Library has strengthened its position as a trusted hub for digital learning and digital ambition. The funding increased staff capacity, enabled new resources, and allowed us to deliver structured workshops and thriving youth coding clubs in an accessible and friendly environment.

It has helped reach people who were isolated, anxious about technology, or shut out from the digital tasks of everyday life. At the same time, children and young people have had their first experiences of coding, robotics and creative tech. This investment has generated long‑term community benefit: improved skills, greater confidence, and a stronger, more digitally resilient community.

Our Role

As a community library, our role is to provide a safe, supportive and accessible space where people can learn, grow and connect. The Lyskerrys Fund gave us the capacity to fulfil this mission in new and meaningful ways.

With this support, we were able to:

• Offer patient, personalised digital guidance to adults who needed time and reassurance
• Remove barriers to learning by providing gentle, one‑to‑one support at a pace that suited each person
• Develop structured, enjoyable pathways for children to access coding and technology
• Connect young people with local tech employers to broaden their understanding of future careers
• Strengthen partnerships and build resources that will continue benefiting the community beyond the life of the fund

The Lyskerrys Fund enabled the library to step confidently into this expanded role, empowering us to serve the community more deeply and effectively.

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What We Delivered

Digital Inclusion: Building Confidence and Independence

The funding made it possible to run 60 digital support sessions, helping 155 adults build essential digital confidence. Participants learned how to:

• Send emails and manage online communication
• Access Universal Credit, DWP services and other essential systems
• Apply for bus passes and complete administrative tasks
• Register a business
• Move from landline to digital-only phone services
• Install apps, use hotspots and set up devices

For many, these were tasks they had postponed for years. With friendly guidance in a calm environment, people-built independence and pride in what they could achieve. One participant described our Android Basics guide as “life changing”.

We also created five new digital guides, developed a repeatable workshop model, and trained two volunteers—one of whom has now progressed into a Teaching Assistant qualification.

Digital Aspirations: Inspiring Young People Through Technology

The Lyskerrys Fund also enabled a thriving youth digital programme.

• Tuesday Code Club welcomed 12–13 regular attendees, exceeding expectations.     Young people created Roblox Studio games, collaborated in teams and shared     their work with parents and professionals.
• Thursday Code Club offered tailored support, helping one young person progress     from total beginner to confidently using Scratch, Micro:bits, Python     basics, Roblox Studio and Blender—and now planning an Unreal Engine     project.
• Home‑Educated First Lego League teams completed engineering and research challenges,     and workshops brought new families into the library.

Parents often told us Code Club had become their child’s “favourite part of the week”.

Careers Inspiration

A highlight of the year was a Careers Inspiration Event delivered with 13 tech and education organisations. Fifty Year 10 students explored robotics, 3D design, cyber challenges and real careers advice. Employers rated the event an average 8.75/10 for inspirational value.

A Community Changed Through Support

The Lyskerrys Fund has helped Liskeard Library meet real community need—giving people the skills and confidence to navigate modern digital life, while inspiring young people to explore new digital opportunities. This investment has strengthened the library, created new partnerships and laid a foundation for long‑term community wellbeing.

Testimonials

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to help put Liskeard on the map for tech‑focused opportunities—promoting inclusive access to technology for underrepresented groups and inspiring innovation and digital skills among younger people.”

Mark Blake, Digital Intern at Real Ideas

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