KCOM announces plan to double digital inclusion support for local youngsters

Thousands more children across Hull and East Yorkshire will get the chance to thrive online thanks to KCOM.

The Hull-based broadband provider, which delivers the UK’s number one fibre network for reliability*, has pledged to double the number of STEM and online safety events it hosts for youngsters, at an event to celebrate the success of its Digital Inclusion Grants this week.

The event, held at the company’s Hull city centre HQ, marked the first 18 months of the grant scheme which has so far donated more than  £120,000 to 12 local groups battling digital exclusion within the region.

Launching the event KCOM Chief People officer Kenneth Ross, said: “It’s a pleasure today to mark a huge milestone in our mission to reduce digital exclusion – and change lives for the better – within the KCOM region.

“Since we launched our Digital Inclusion Grants in 2024 we’ve been blown away by the quality and range of groups applying for funding. The 12 successful applicants** we’re celebrating today are making a real difference in their local communities by giving disadvantaged groups the vital skills and access to new opportunities they need.

“We live in an increasingly digital world where everything from applying for a job to paying your bills, booking a doctor’s appointment, staying in touch with friends and family and doing homework with the kids, is online – if you don’t have access to that world there’s a danger of being left behind.

“Through our grants we’re seeking to level the playing field for everyone, from children starting out in primary school to older people who’ve never been online before, to ensure everyone can reach their full potential.”

Announcing three new grant winners on the day***,  Louise Babych, KCOM’s Community Impact Partner, said that the company was determined not to rest on its laurels, but would continue to tackle digital exclusion.

She said: “Today, we’re pledging to go further than ever before to bolster digital inclusion by recommitting to our Digital Grants scheme, as well as doubling the number of STEM and online safety events we’re holding for primary school children next year. We’ll also welcome more than 3,000 children, that’s 1,000 more than this year, to our Learning Zone in 2026 to take part in digital skills sessions. That’s a great foundation empowering the next generation to reach new heights and take a full role in our increasingly connected society.”

Hannah Whelan, Policy and Advocacy Lead at Government digital inclusion advisors The Good Things Foundation, was a keynote speaker at the event. She said: “It’s fantastic to see greater investment from KCOM into digital inclusion. The Good Things Foundation knows first-hand how crucial cross sector  collaboration is both on a local and national level. It’s been great to see the work KCOM and the community organisations they support are doing and the impact they are having at their digital inclusion event today.”

Also speaking at the event Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, welcomed KCOM’s continuing commitment to fostering digital inclusion. He said: “I give full credit to KCOM for the work they’re doing on the really important issue of digital inclusion.

“This event shows just how important digital inclusion is for residents in Hull and the surrounding areas and how limiting it can be when people don’t have access to online services and support. So it’s great to see KCOM working with so many local organisations to help people of all ages to get the access they need and to learn new skills.”

• For more details about KCOM Digital Inclusion Grants and how to apply visit here
• To watch the videos or our Digital Inclusion Grant winners in action click here, here and here

Ends

Notes

• KCOM delivers its Digital Inclusion Grants in partnership with the HEY Smile Foundation. https://heysmilefoundation.org/2025/02/12/kcom-funding-to-boost-charities-online/
• * Ofcom, Comparing Customer Service report, May 2025: Fewest faults per 1,000 customers per month, 2024.
• **The groups receiving a Digital Inclusion Grant since the scheme launched in 2024, include City of Hull Sport & Community Group, Goodwin Development Trust, KIDS Yorkshire, Creative Briefs, Reel Creative, Humber Wellbeing Hub CIC, Run With It and Pickering and Ferens Homes and North Lincolnshire’s Carers’ Support Centre.
• The winning groups’ schemes include – online employability skills workshops, local community digital hubs, digital creativity workshops for SEND children,
• ***£20,000 in funding for three new grant winners including Withernsea’s The Shores Centre, Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire and Sight Support Hull & East Yorkshire, was also announced on the day.