Digital inclusion organisation Wavemaker has won a national award for an initiative which has helped 2,300 people in Stoke-on-Trent gain digital skills and confidence needed for work, education and everyday life.
DigitALL beat competition from the likes of Rightmove, the Bank of England and the British Heart Foundation to win the Digital Programme Excellence category at the Digital Technology Leaders Awards 2026.
The project, which has received more than £800,000 from Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s UKSPF funding, has distributed 751 digital devices to residents who otherwise couldn’t afford them, provided 194 guided learning hours and carried out more than 400 face-to-face sessions.
Ben McManus, co-founder of Stone-based Wavemaker, said the recognition would not have been possible without support from the council and the funding provided.
He added: “To see a digital inclusion programme developed here in Stoke-on-Trent recognised on a national stage is a fantastic achievement.
“For us, the award isn’t just about the technology, it’s about the people whose lives have been changed through digital inclusion. We hope this recognition shines a light on what can be achieved when local organisations, communities and the council work together with a shared vision to create lasting opportunities for everyone.”
Councillor Sarah Hill, the city council’s cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty, governance and corporate services, said: “Wavemaker has done amazing work to bridge the digital divide in the city, and this award is recognition for these efforts.
“The DigitALL project has helped transform lives and futures across Stoke-on-Trent by giving people digital confidence and helping them fulfil their potential, whether this be in education, work or home settings.”
