QFutures Community Fund invests in digital skills for Leeds and Bradford

We’ve invested £42,500 in targeted grants to boost digital skills, thanks to our partnership with rural broadband provider, Quickline. 

The QFutures Community Fund supports Leeds and Bradford community organisations to work with children, young people and families to develop digital skills and enhance employability. 

8 locally-rooted community organisations were awarded grants in this round of funding. In Leeds – AFRIKINDNESS, Cross Green Growing Together, Give A Gift and Pudsey Community Project. And in Bradford – Bangladeshi Youth Organisation, Grange Interlink Community Centre, Highfield Community Association and Solidaritech. 

The organisations will each receive an equal share of the £42,500 total, with the potential for extension funding for additional years.  

Afrikindness plan to use their grant to design and deliver a comprehensive digital inclusion programme. They’ll support digitally excluded and isolated parents, breaking down the digital barriers that prevent many families – particularly those from African and ethnically diverse backgrounds – from fully participating in today’s digital society. 

Bangladeshi Youth Organisation will run coffee morning style drop-in sessions with an accessible ‘play and learn’ approach. They’ll support members of their community they know to be digitally excluded, including older and unemployed people, people in receipt of Universal Credit and single mothers. 

Solidaritech plan to provide tailored, in-depth and language-appropriate digital skills help and advice to asylum seekers and refugees who they work with. They‘ll also publish the resources online to support a wider audience. 

Speaking about the grant awards, Alex Koupis, Senior Programmes Officer at Leeds Community Foundation said: 

“It’s been fantastic to partner with Quickline to design and deliver the QFutures Community Fund. The targeted funding will enable these organisations to carry out vital digital inclusion work, helping to break down barriers to employment and open up opportunities for local people.” 

Sarah Lilleyman-Hall, Social Values and Events Manager at Quickline, said: 

“At Quickline, we believe digital connectivity should empower everyone, not just those who already have access. That’s why we’re proud to support the QFutures Community Fund, which is creating real opportunities for people to build the skills they need to thrive in a digital world. This partnership is about more than broadband – it’s about helping communities unlock their full potential and ensuring no one is left behind.” 

We’re proud to partner with businesses like Quickline to deliver strategic grants programmes that address inequalities and create opportunities in our communities. Together, we’re making a fairer Leeds and a fairer Bradford for everyone.