Inspiring young digital creators in Selby
Since launching in 2023, Selby CoderDojo has become a thriving hub where young people learn coding, build apps, games, and more. Run entirely by volunteers, the club provides free monthly sessions where young people can explore the world of coding and digital making in a fun, informal and supportive environment.
The Dojo was established when local tech enthusiasts, teachers and community members realised there were no coding clubs in the Selby area. Using their collective skills, they built a welcoming space where young people can learn, play and grow through digital creativity, especially those who are underrepresented in technology.
Learning through curiosity and creativity
At Selby CoderDojo, every session is hands-on! Young people create their own computer games, animations, websites, or experiment with physical computing and electronic circuits using the Raspberry Pi Pico and the micro:bit. They learn coding languages like Scratch, MakeCode, Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and learn about how to safely use AI technology.
It’s nothing like school; young people choose what they want to work on and the technology they want to learn. They learn at their own pace and they pick a theme that excites them. The club focuses as much on soft skills as it does on technical know-how. Through collaboration, problem-solving and teamwork, participants build confidence and learn how to communicate their ideas and overcome challenges. Each session ends with a “show and tell”, where young people proudly showcase their projects and share their creative journey.
Selby CoderDojo is a proud member of Code Club, a global movement of free, volunteer-led coding clubs, but what makes Selby CoderDojo special is its community focus. They ensure that every family can join in by running their sessions free, providing computers for those who don’t have one at home, and creating a welcoming environment for those with additional needs. Around a quarter of their participants are girls, and they reach children with additional needs such as ADHD, autism and mutism. The team is passionate about making computing more inclusive for all.
The impact of funding
Recent multi-year funding from the QFUTURES Community Fund is helping Selby CoderDojo reach even more young people. This support is enabling the club to run 36 sessions, creating over 1,700 places for young people and their parents.
The grant covers essential costs such as rent, equipment, upgrading and replacing devices and new learning materials, while also allowing the team to expand outreach to local schools and community groups. The funding means that any family that wants to come to the Dojo can borrow a computer, so no one misses out on the chance to learn.
Beyond their weekly sessions, the Selby CoderDojo team are also a FEAST provider delivering enrichment sessions for families during school holidays for kids of all ages. These sessions include a nutritious hot meal, healthy snacks and activities and the chance for children to learn new digital skills during holidays, helping to reduce isolation and provide meaningful opportunities for families.
Powered by volunteers and community spirit
Selby CoderDojo is led by a dedicated group of volunteers who all share a passion for technology, education, and reaching young people they can have the most impact with. Between them, they bring expertise in software development, education and community engagement. Their creativity fuels each session, whether they’re using activities from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, adapting ideas found online, or designing brand-new challenges (sometimes with a little help from AI).
Since 2023, the club has created over 1,300 places for young people and parents to take part in digital making activities. Sessions regularly attract around 24 children and their parents, often filling up within hours of opening. Demand is so high there’s now a waiting list, showing just how much this free, local opportunity means to families.
Stories of success
Two young girls joined Selby CoderDojo and started like most, creating cool projects in Scratch, a block based language. Over time their knowledge and confidence grew, and now they’ve joined with hundreds of other creators showcasing their work at Coolest Projects UK, a national showcase for young people. They also took part in Astro Pi, a challenge for young people to draw a pixel image using the Python programming language. Their image was then beamed to the International Space Station to be shown to the astronauts on board, their achievement highlighted just how far creativity and persistence can take you… as far as the ISS! The girls have also taken their love of coding into school and are creating a computer club with the help of Selby CoderDojo.
Many young people and their families arrive with little experience of coding, but quickly find their interest ignited through the group’s welcoming, hands-on approach. The team helps young people and parents learn together, encouraging fun and confidence with technology.
Looking to the future
With continued support, Selby CoderDojo hopes to expand its reach, offering more sessions, more equipment, and more opportunities. They would also like to host additional groups and have clubs for older age groups, develop intergenerational learning sessions, and help local schools set up their own coding clubs.
As John told us…
“We want young people and families to see technology not as something distant or intimidating, but as something creative, exciting and full of opportunity. Our goal is simple, to help every young person discover what they can achieve when they code, create and learn together.”
Through creativity, teamwork and community support, they’re helping young people in Selby develop the skills and self-belief to thrive in an increasingly digital world – one line of code at a time.
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