futureCoders SE

07/03/2026

Coding has become a core skill that enables people to work effectively and think critically in a world shaped by intelligent machines. It is a modern form of literacy, helping young people to operate more effectively in a digital world. Ultimately, those who learn to code will be the ones who shape the future we all inhabit, making it essential to open these opportunities to the widest possible audience.

Without understanding software, algorithms, and automated systems, young people are disadvantaged. Yes, AI can generate code, but skilled human programmers bring the critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making that is vital to ensuring that AI works for the good of all.

To truly equip young people for a technology-driven economy, coding is an underpinning skill—much like reading and numeracy—that facilitates other learning and allows individuals to operate at a useful level, regardless of their eventual role.

At futureCoders, we target those generations of young people (aged 16 to 30) who have already missed the opportunity to learn coding.

This is why we developed our Digital Learning Experience, funded by Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust. The 10-week programme is designed to broaden horizons for young people who face barriers to securing their first roles. It combines technical skills (coding) with personal development, team building, physical activity, and practical work experience within our development teams.

The work experience component is vital, as it puts the learning into a relevant context where participants actively work on finding solutions to real business problems using technology. An understanding of:
- the role of code in this process.
- the types of problems code can solve.
- the needs of those who will use the solutions...is essential for success in any job within a technology-driven economy.

GET INVOLVED

If you work with, or know of, or are, a young person who could commit three days a week for 10 weeks, and can feasibly get to Medway, they will benefit from:
-- Increased technical knowledge.
-- A strong team ethos.
-- Participation in real-world projects.
-- The opportunity to meet and learn alongside new people.

Please encourage them to scan the QR code in this flyer to access an expression of interest form. We will take it from there.

18/02/2026

We are looking for 10 amazing young people to join our Digital Learning Experience starting in April in Medway.

If you know of a young person who has, or would like to have, and would like to use these skills to solve problems for small and -for-profit organisations. We have some exciting projects lined up in our system, and more will surface through networking.

The Digital Learning Experience includes learning to code, learning how to solve problems with code, preparing for work with digital skills, team building and personal development (including some outdoor activities at Buckmore Park)

We are building a waiting list for this opportunity now. Please encourage anyone you know who might benefit from this to join the list, or join it yourself if it applies to you.

Visit https://bit.ly/4ber49B or scan the QR code in the flyer to express interest in joining the waitlist.

We can't wait to hear from you.

13/02/2026

Call for App Ideas: Shape the Future of Micro-Apps for Not-for-Profits

futureCoders is developing a unique library of micro-apps, with a prototype nearing the final testing phase. This initiative is driven by the community of small charities and social enterprises, ensuring each small, specialised app directly addresses specific, practical needs without unnecessary complexity. These apps are designed to work together collaboratively in a 'pick and mix' style.

Affordable Access for Not-for-Profits
Access to this 'app library' will be made available to not-for-profit organisations through an affordable subscription service.

Opportunities for Collaboration with Not-for-Profits
The futureCoders Digital Learning Experience in April, supported by partners Brighter Futures Social Investment and Pilot Your Future CIC, aims to have a small number of keen new developers ready to help develop some experimental apps.

How can you help?

We are inviting hashtag and hashtag hashtag to submit ideas for small apps. These apps should aim to enhance productivity, support mission delivery, help measure impact, or meet other organisational requirements.
If you have an app idea you'd like to see developed, please express your interest in collaborating with us to prepare a project brief.

This is a prime opportunity to jump-start an app that could significantly improve your organisation’s efficiency or service delivery and be shared with other organisations who can benefit in the same way, with affordability for all. Your obligation would be limited to sharing your idea with enough context to allow our young developers to formulate an app design, although this may be the start of a collaboration opportunity!

Tell us your idea here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScD8C-E9OUpwZDYbzCJgyFe8L4phUguTeavhFdYLdnTzqqajw/viewform?usp=header

We would love to hear from you.

In April, we will be supporting 10 young people to enhance coding skills and apply them in strong teams to solve digital problems for small and not-for-profit organisations. We have some exciting projects already lined and we are looking for more charities and social enterprises to participate by co...

09/02/2026

Since its start in 2025, futureCoders has been supporting the aspect of the Little Adventurers programme, delivered by Home-Start Medway. Our remit is to look after the anonymised data and to produce the statistics and visuals for the annual funder’s report. To add extra value for the first yearly report, we produced an extra resource, an interactive dashboard.

For second year reporting, we are really grateful to Adelle King for lending us her professional skills to transfer the impact dashboard to a new, more sustainable platform ready for the third and final report in 2027. Adelle managed the project really effectively and has left us in a very strong position for next year's reporting.

31/01/2026

Wherever you look for information on UK , skills are near the top of the list.

There is a shortage of skills in AI and machine learning engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science and analysis and software development.

Every one of these jobs types is likely to cite programming as a desirable, if not core, skill need. There are pockets of great work happening across the country to help more people into these areas but it is fragmented and access depends on geography.

I understand that these skills shortages are persistent and affect all industry sectors. Isn’t it about time that access to these skills, both academically and practically was extended to the whole population, starting in school and continuing as a lifelong learning opportunity.

The problem isn’t going to be solved by maintaining the status quo.

16/01/2026

In April, we will be supporting 10 young people to enhance their and apply them in strong teams to solve problems for small and -for-profit organisations. We have some exciting projects already lined up in our system, and more will surface through networking.

We encourage anyone interested in developing small -based to join the waiting list now. Whatever your current skill level, we can offer advice on how to prepare to ensure you gain the most from the experience.

We are looking for people who live within travelling distance of Medway, and who are:

* not currently working

* working part-time, in a non-permanent role, or volunteering

in a job that under-uses their skills and qualifications

* not in full-time education

interested in gaining skills that are crucial to technical AI and software roles.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, let us know by completing this short form

(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0J06iGIZvxy19DvVHtOTdHYdrU678He4h46iCBklhJvhAMA/viewform?usp=dialog ) to express interest in joining the waitlist.

09/01/2026

As we head into 2026, we’re excited by the projects taking shape — and by our continued focus on supporting young people to develop real, meaningful digital skills.

Through futureCoders, we’re creating opportunities for up to 10 young people to gain hands-on experience embedded within real development teams, supported by practical projects, teamwork, and employability development.

We’re honest about expectations — a short programme doesn’t guarantee a job.
But imagine the impact if young people were supported by forward-thinking employers, encouraged to keep learning, and given space to grow rather than being pressured to be “job-ready” overnight.

We’re keen to connect with employers interested in supporting early-stage digital talent to explore partnership and mentoring opportunities.

28/11/2025

Really pleased to have been part of the first Medway Shared Prosperity Fund meeting for this round. As a recipient of an award for a feasibility project, we are now busy creating a prototype of an ‘App Library’ whose purpose is to make bespoke, collaboratively developed apps available to not-for-profits at affordable prices. The prototype will help to demonstrate how the library could work, so that we can establish, and demonstrate need.

The project will provide a placement for an intern and up to 4 young people on a learning-based work experience programme.

25/11/2025

📣 Mentor needed for Cyber Security Governance Intern (Non-Technical Focus)

We are really pleased to welcome Scarlett to futureCoders as an intern with a focus on cyber security governance. This will help us to ensure that our risk assessments, procedures, working practices, contracts and policies for an exciting new app library we are developing with charities in mind.

Technical mentorship will be provided by futureCoders, but we are looking for an additional mentor who can support her from a communication perspective.

🟦What we need:

A mentor who can guide her in:

* Communicating clearly and appropriately with charities
* Translating technical concepts into simple, accessible language
* Presenting governance recommendations in a non-technical, charity-friendly way

🟩 Ideal for:

Professionals with experience in:

* Charity or non-profit operations
* Governance, compliance, or safeguarding
* IT governance or project coordination (non-technical)

🟠 Time commitment:

The initial focus will be on understanding the app’s security requirements, but ideally a mentor would be available for a weekly or bi-weekly catch-up.

If you or someone in your network would be interested in supporting a young person stepping into the digital sector—while helping strengthen the governance around an app library designed to benefit charities—please get in touch.

04/11/2025

Imagine making cutting-edge digital tools accessible for every not-for-profit, regardless of their budget. We're doing it!

We're thrilled to announce the development of our new "App Library" prototype, supported by Round 4 Medway UK Shared Prosperity Funding. This innovative project aims to revolutionise how smaller not-for-profit organisations access essential software.

Our goal is to create a shared resource of high-quality, user-friendly applications at an affordable rate, helping organisations boost efficiency without the burden of high costs. We believe this initiative will help to level the playing field, ensuring vital community work isn't hampered by technological barriers.

How do you see shared digital resources transforming the not-for-profit landscape?

31/10/2025

Before teaching a new skill, the teacher needs to master it. Then, it is about finding the best strategies for helping others to develop those same skills.

As we move towards the adoption of AI in our working practice, including our training, we will need to learn to use it well.

I am looking forward to attending a Data Vibe Coding 101 workshop, hosted by the Data Science Festival and delivered by Zerve. This is an opportunity to learn how to structure prompts, and to steer the output in the desired direction. As a practical session I will really be able to get stuck in and to see the results.

28/10/2025

The Electric Medway festival, held this last weekend was a celebration of digital and creative technology art and activities across various spaces in Medway.

We were really pleased to be invited to the launch event for the "Forest Keep" (AR Story Trail). This is an augmented reality story trail. It is set in a future metaverse and experienced within the gardens at Rochester Castle. Armed with our mobile phones, we navigated an interactive story where we could take multiple paths to affect the outcome.

Actors from @‌square-pegs-arts created a physical environment that added to the experience and helped to bring the story to life.

It was great to experience the results of a digital project involving young people across the community in the development and the storytelling. Really pleased to have been part of that initial testing group. Well done @‌electricmedway!!

https://lnkd.in/ebptrFiz

Electric Medway Festival is a beautifully presented family event that happens every year in October half term, showcasing high quality digital art made with the community. Aurora will be the sixth edition of the Festival on ​24-26 October 2025. Inspired