Hull-based broadband ISP KCOM, which is building a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England, has named the first three winners of their Digital Inclusion Grants. The provider offers up to £25k to projects and organisations that are aimed at improving lives in communities across the region.
The grant scheme, which is due to run until the end of 2026, is designed to help promote online inclusion, build stronger communities, connect generations and help boost digital skills and awareness across KCOM’s operating region.
The winners of the first round of grants include the City of Hull Sport & Community Group CIC, which scooped £11,228 to help improve local lives within the Orchard Park community by offering digital skills training. The Kids Yorkshire organisation also won £7,500 to help youngsters with special educational needs, while the Carer’s Support Service secured £5,000 to help provide online support and reduce isolation for local carers.
Tim Shaw, KCOM Chief Executive, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to announce the first three winners of our Digital Inclusion Grants. We were bowled over by the number and quality of the applications we received and it was incredibly difficult to pick three winners. But the first three successful groups showed that their grants will make a real difference to people living within their communities, creating life enhancing opportunities and providing essential digital skills.
As a company that’s been at the heart of our local communities for 120 years, it’s more important than ever that we continue to support the local communities that we serve, providing online opportunities, levelling up digital skills across the region and broadening horizons for everyone to make sure they are not left behind in this digital age.”
A second round of the KCOM Foundation’s Digital Inclusion Grants will be announced later this year.