Project helping thousands gain digital skills wins national award

A project that has been driving digital inclusion across Stoke-on-Trent has won a national award after receiving more than £800,000 of the city council’s UKSPF funding.

DigitALL, an initiative created by local organisation Wavemaker, has helped nearly 2,300 people across the city gain digital skills and confidence needed to thrive in education, work and daily life.

It has distributed 751 digital devices to residents who otherwise couldn't afford them, provided 194 guided learning hours and carried out more than 400 face-to-face sessions.

The project’s learning platform won at the recent Digital Technology Leaders Awards 2026, winning in the ‘Digital Programme Excellence’ category.

It won against strong competition from organisations including Rightmove, the Bank of England and the British Heart Foundation.

The project has benefitted from being allocated funding from the city council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It was awarded £552,417 in 2024/25 and a further £262,575 in 2025/26.

Partner organisations involved in delivering DigitALL include The Inspirational Leaning Group, Framescape and Raparu Consult CIC.

The programme forms part of Wavemaker's wider work to improve digital inclusion, offering tailored learning opportunities, workshops, webinars and online resources that help people build skills, confidence and opportunities for the future.

Ben McManus, Co-Founder of Wavemaker, said: “Winning this national award is an incredible honour and a proud moment for everyone involved in the DigitALL project. To see a digital inclusion programme developed here in Stoke-on-Trent recognised on a national stage is a fantastic achievement.

“This recognition would not have been possible without the support of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the investment provided through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. That funding enabled us to develop DigitALL into a platform that has helped thousands of local people build the digital skills, confidence and opportunities they need for work, education and everyday life.

“For us, the award isn’t just about the technology, it’s about the people whose lives have been changed through digital inclusion. We hope this recognition shines a light on what can be achieved when local organisations, communities and the council work together with a shared vision to create lasting opportunities for everyone.”

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty, governance and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Wavemaker has done amazing work to bridge the digital divide in the city, and this award is recognition for these efforts.

“The DigitALL project has helped transform lives and futures across Stoke-on-Trent by giving people digital confidence and helping them fulfil their potential, whether this be in education, work or home settings.”

For more information on the DigitALL project or to learn about upcoming workshops, visit Wavemaker’s website https://www.wavemaker.org.uk/digitall or email info@wavemaker.org.uk