Digital & Media

Tech volunteers partner with libraries to provide free coding clubs for youth in rural areas

Tech volunteers partner with libraries to provide free coding clubs for youth in rural areas.

By Rosa Mackenzie, The Commons View | 6 July 2025, 08:51

In an effort to bridge the digital divide and nurture future talent, a group of tech volunteers is teaming up with libraries across Devon to deliver free coding clubs for young people. The initiative, known as CodeStack, targets children aged 9–14, especially those in rural areas with limited access to extracurricular tech programmes.

Sessions take place on Saturdays in public library community rooms, where laptops and tablets are provided. Students learn the basics of coding through creative projects like building simple video games, designing interactive stories, and exploring robotics simulations.

“Many of our learners have never coded before,” said Emily Drew, a software engineer from Exeter who co-founded the programme. “We want to remove the barriers — financial, geographic, or social — that keep kids from accessing tech education.”

The clubs are designed to be fun, accessible, and non-competitive. Mentors emphasise problem-solving, teamwork, and trial-and-error learning. “We’re not trying to create future programmers necessarily — just curious, confident thinkers,” explained Drew.

Libraries have proved to be ideal hosts: centrally located, trusted by families, and already equipped with quiet spaces and internet access. Local branches have welcomed the renewed foot traffic and community engagement.

Parents report that the sessions have improved their children’s concentration, creativity, and even confidence in school. “It’s great seeing my daughter get excited about something new each week — and she’s teaching me too,” said one mum from Dawlish.

With growing demand, CodeStack hopes to expand into Cornwall and Somerset by next year. Organisers are actively seeking additional volunteers and donations of refurbished equipment to help keep the sessions free and inclusive for all.