A Fresh Youth MK Programme

Mobile Digital Youth Hub

A community-powered programme putting digital skills, qualifications and trusted mentors directly into the hands of young people aged 10–24 across Milton Keynes.

10–24

Age Range

Milton Keynes

MK Wards

3–7pm

When We Deliver

5,000

Reached in 5 years

Digital InclusionYouth MentoringNEET ReductionPositive Pathways

What is the Mobile Digital Youth Hub?

The Mobile Digital Youth Hub (MDYH) is a community-based digital inclusion programme run by Fresh Youth MK. It brings essential digital skills, industry-recognised qualifications and trained mentors directly into the most disadvantaged communities in Milton Keynes, reaching young people aged 10–24 where they already are.

Crucially, MDYH operates in the critical 3 pm –7 pm window, the after-school hours where no statutory provision exists and anti-social behaviour peaks. It is a hub that travels to the community, not the other way round.

How MDYH goes beyond what schools offer

Safe community spaces beyond school hours, mentoring that continues beyond a single school year, support for industry-recognised qualifications not offered in schools, multi-agency support, and age-appropriate engagement with 10 to 13-year-olds, 14 to 17-year-olds outside the school hours, and 18 to 24-year-olds outside the school system. MDYH complements schools; it does not replace them.

10-24

Age Range Served

Across MK

MK Community Wards

3-7 pm

When We Deliver

Why it Matters

The young people we serve

MDYH is open to every young person under 25 living in Milton Keynes. There is no competitive selection, and no eligibility threshold. We welcome everyone, with particular focus on those experiencing digital exclusion, disengagement from education, or social disadvantage. Participation is always free and entirely voluntary.

946k

UK young people now NEET

42%

of 18–24s digitally excluded

20%

local pupils have no device

Four ways young people reach us

School referral: pastoral teams at partner schools refer pupils with parental consent.
Youth Justice Service: case-worker referrals under multi-agency protocols, with joint review at intake.
Police / Safer MK: crime-prevention and diversion referrals, safeguarding-reviewed before engagement.
Self & parent referral: any young person or parent can register online or drop in.

Always a genuine, free choice

Attendance is never tied to court orders, school contracts or statutory requirements. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and a young person’s right to leave is stated openly at every session. Sustained engagement is our truest measure of quality; young people return because the programme works for them.

At the Heart of It

Mentoring and qualifications

Mentoring provides the trusted adult relationships that young people tell us they need, something no digital skills programme can replace on its own. Every mentor brings at least two years’ experience working with young people, and we prioritise lived experience of the communities we serve.

What mentors do

Co-create a personal development plan covering skills, education, employment and wellbeing.
Run weekly group and one-to-one digital skills sessions in the 3–7pm window.
Coach and sponsor Digital Champions, and connect young people to wider support.
Track progress and report any safeguarding concerns through the DSL process.

Nationally recognised qualifications

Qualification	Awarding Body	Level
Essential Digital Skills (EDSQ)	City & Guilds / Open Awards	Entry to L1
ICDL	BCS	L1 to L2
Youth Leadership Award	ASDAN / AQA	–
Functional Skills ICT	City & Guilds / Pearson	Entry to L2

Specialist curriculum design, quality assurance and mentor CPD are supported by eLIDH, our eLearning Innovation and Digital Hub partner, while Fresh Youth MK retains full responsibility for day-to-day delivery.

The Five-Year Journey

From launch to lasting legacy

MDYH is built to grow from professionally-led delivery into a peer-led, community-embedded programme, building local capability, not dependence.

Getting started

Equipments procured, Programme Coordinator hired, all venues ready to run weekly. Digital Champions pathway begins.

400+ engaged · 200+ mentored · 8 champions

Structured curriculum

Coding, media and AI literacy introduced. More staff and volunteers join the team.

1,500 engaged · 16 champions

Maximum reach

Advanced digital skills with blended staffing. Independent evaluation commissioned.

3,000 engaged · 25 champions

Young people lead

Peer mentoring, community digital champions and active sustainability planning.

4,000 engaged · 32 champions

Embedded and sustainable

Programme embedded into FYMK, local facilitators trained, final evaluation and legacy report.

5,000 engaged · 40 champions

Get Involved

Become a volunteer mentor

We are calling on businesses and community organisations across Milton Keynes to help shape the next generation of digital talent. Whether you can spare a few hours a week or want to build a team volunteering programme, your skills can change a young person’s trajectory.

Individuals and community groups

Share your time

Mentor young people one-to-one and in groups. Full induction, safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check are all provided. No prior teaching experience needed, just commitment and care.

Businesses and employers

Build your CSR

Offer staff volunteer days, host work placements, donate refurbished equipment, or join our Employer Advisory Group to co-shape the curriculum and create real progression routes for young people.

What you'll gain

For your people

Meaningful local impact, team development and a visible role in tackling youth digital inequality, with a charity whose work delivers a measured £1:£88 social return.

Referrals / Joining

For UNDER 25s

If you would like to refer a young person please use the button below for referrals or self referral / joining. We will contact you with more information when we receive your form.