Help to Close the Digital Divide

Aim

Support The Highrise Project’s work with people experiencing digital exclusion, isolation, and disadvantage.

Since 2021, The Highrise Project has supported over 500 people in Leeds, including refugees and asylum seekers, social housing residents, and disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people.

We provide welcoming, creative spaces where people can build confidence, learn new skills, and connect with others.

Based in Armley and working with trusted local partners, we offer free digital and creative workshops and drop in sessions, 1:1 support, and mentoring. But the need is growing and we urgently need your support to keep this work going.

What We Do

We provide access to devices and phone data so people can connect to services, keep in touch with others, and take part in creative workshops.

We offer tailored 1:1 digital support, whether it's learning to save a file, set up an email account, or develop a creative skill.

From digital drawing to photography, we use creativity as a tool for communication and wellbeing. All our sessions are free and take place in local community venues.

Our creative digital sessions focus on areas including:

• Digital drawing and animation to help people to explore new ways of expressing themselves through art.
• Photography and video editing to support participants to tell their own stories using digital tools.
• Augmented reality to offer a playful introduction to new and emerging technologies.
• Social media to present their work to wider audiences, either to showcase their creativity or generate additional income.

Our Impact

For many of the people we support, digital inclusion is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline.

• In the last year at Armley Community Hub alone, we’ve supported over 100 participants, many of whom reported improvements in their mental health and wellbeing, alongside their digital skills.
  
  Our participants have told us:
  “Now I can make my own videos and animations.”
  “I've developed confidence and feel more relaxed about using an iPad to make art.”
  “I felt overwhelmed by technology but I’m learning to express my feelings through digital art.”
  
  We take a grassroots, artist-led approach that builds trust. We know that people don’t just want help, they need spaces where they feel safe, seen, and valued. Some of our participants have even gone on to exhibit their work, take up freelance roles, or set up their own community projects. With your help, we can reach even more.

Why Digital Inclusion is Important

Access to a device is just the starting point. We provide training for free or low-cost software that people can continue to use outside of the sessions without having to pay for costly subscriptions. This helps everyone to practice the skills they've learned, stay connected, and feel more confident using digital tools day to day.

For some, it means being able to help children with homework or stay in touch with family abroad. For others, it’s a step towards becoming more independent, finding work, going on to further education, or even starting a creative business.

By demystifying everyday software and digital tools, we help people develop skills at their own pace, in their own time to build resilience and sustainability.

Your donation will help us to:

• Provide access to digital devices and data to those who need them most
• Offer 1:1 tailored, digital support
• Run free weekly drop-ins in local community venues
• Deliver inclusive digital and creative activities

Not only that, but all money raised can help us to attract further grant funding, making your contribution go further.

We make every penny count. Whether you give £5 or £500, your support helps someone develop digital confidence, access devices and data, and connect with their community.

Learn more at www.thehighriseproject.co.uk

This project successfully funded on 2nd June 2025