Opening Digital Doors for the Community: The Impact of the Lyskerrys Fund at Liskeard Library
Lyskerrys Fund
Funding from the new Lyskerrys FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. managed by Cornwall Community Foundation, Liskeard Library is helping to upskill and strengthen the communities of Liskeard through their range of free digital services.
Across Cornwall, access to digital education is under pressure. With Computer Science GCSE options shrinking in many schools, young people are increasingly left without a pathway into the digital and creative tech careers that are growing across the region. At the same time, many adults remain excluded from the digital tasks that everyday life now depends on.
In this context, support from the Lyskerrys Fund has been vital. It has enabled Liskeard Library to strengthen its role as a trusted hub for digital learning.
Introduction
With the support of the Lyskerrys Fund, Liskeard Library has strengthened its position as a trusted hub for digital learning and digital ambition. The funding increased staff capacity, enabled new resources, and allowed the delivery of structured workshops and thriving youth coding clubs in an accessible and friendly environment.
The support helped reach people who were isolated, anxious about technology, or shut out from the digital tasks of everyday life. At the same time, children and young people gained their first experiences of coding, robotics and creative technology. This investment has generated long-term community benefit, including improved skills, greater confidence, and a stronger, more digitally resilient community.
The Library’s Role
As a community library, Liskeard Library’s role is to provide a safe, supportive and accessible space where people can learn, grow and connect. The Lyskerrys Fund provided the capacity to fulfil this mission in new and meaningful ways.
With this support, the library was able to:
– Offer patient, personalised digital guidance to adults who needed time and reassurance
– Remove barriers to learning by providing gentle, one-to-one support at a pace suited to each individual
– Develop structured, enjoyable pathways for children to access coding and technology
– Connect young people with local tech employers to broaden their understanding of future careers
– Strengthen partnerships and build resources that will continue benefiting the community beyond the life of the fund.
The Lyskerrys Fund enabled the library to step confidently into this expanded role, empowering it to serve the community more deeply and effectively.
What Was Delivered
Digital Inclusion: Building Confidence and Independence
The funding made it possible to run 60 digital support sessions, helping 155 adults build essential digital confidence. Participants learned how to:
– Send emails and manage online communication
– Access Universal Credit, DWP services and other essential systems
– Apply for bus passes and complete administrative tasks
– Register a business
– Move from landline to digital-only phone services
– Install apps, use hotspots and set up devices
For many participants, these were tasks that had been postponed for years. With friendly guidance in a calm environment, people built independence and pride in what they could achieve. One participant described the Android Basics guide as “life changing”.
The programme also resulted in the creation of five new digital guides, the development of a repeatable workshop model, and the training of two volunteers—one of whom has since progressed into a Teaching Assistant qualification.
Digital Aspirations: Inspiring Young People Through Technology
The Lyskerrys Fund also enabled a thriving youth digital programme.
Tuesday Code Club welcomed 12–13 regular attendees, exceeding expectations. Young people created Roblox Studio games, collaborated in teams, and shared their work with parents and professionals.
Thursday Code Club offered tailored support, helping one young person progress from total beginner to confidently using Scratch, Micro:bits, Python basics, Roblox Studio and Blender, and now planning an Unreal Engine projectA piece of work that delivers an output..
Home Educated First Lego League teams completed engineering and research challenges, while additional workshops brought new families into the library.
Parents frequently reported that Code Club had become their child’s “favourite part of the week”.
Careers Inspiration
A highlight of the year was a Careers Inspiration Event delivered in partnership with 13 tech and education organisations. Fifty Year 10 students explored robotics, 3D design, cyber challenges and real careers advice. Employers rated the event an average of 8.75 out of 10 for inspirational value.
A Community Changed Through Support
The Lyskerrys Fund has helped Liskeard Library meet real community need—providing people with the skills and confidence to navigate modern digital life while inspiring young people to explore new digital opportunities. This investment has strengthened the library, created new partnerships and laid a foundation for long-term community wellbeing.
Testimonial
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to help put Liskeard on the map for tech-focused opportunities—promoting inclusive access to technology for underrepresented groups and inspiring innovation and digital skills among younger people.”
Mark Blake, Digital Intern at Real Ideas
About the Funder
The Lyskerrys Fund is focused on unlocking opportunity and supporting potential in Liskeard and its surrounding villages. The fund is about helping people to help themselves, nurturing aspiration, and investing in ideas that strengthen the local community and economy.
This fund is currently welcoming applications.
If you are a charity, CIC or volunteer-led programme: Lyskerrys Fund – Community Funding – Grant | Cornwall Community Foundation
If you are a micro-business or social enterpriseA business that uses commercial strategies to improve social, environmental, and financial well-being.: Lyskerrys Fund – Business Funding – Grant | Cornwall Community Foundation
