10 June 2026, Manchester, UK – Datum Datacentres has announced its support for a local STEM code club based in the IT suite at the Forum Library in Wythenshawe. As part of an ongoing commitment to create opportunities for the local community, the colocation provider has donated eight iPad Air 5th Generation tablets to help children aged 9 to 12 develop foundational computer science skills as part of their introduction to broader STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) learning.
The code club focuses on learning programming skills in a fun and engaging way, introducing young students to some of the most relevant and rapidly expanding fields in modern technology. This includes honing the digital skills young people need to thrive in today's online world, like the concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The curriculum accommodates various learning styles and commitment levels. It offers a mixture of drop-in taster sessions where attendees can complete a project within a single visit, as well as continuous projects for those who want to dive deeper and work on more complex challenges.
Datum Datacentres operates two main sites in the UK, including a Farnborough campus comprising the flagship FRN1 and the currently under-construction FRN2 data centres. The company also maintains a significant presence in the north west with MCR1 and the newly constructed MCR2 data centre on an ultra-secure campus site in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Due to Datum’s location at the heart of the Wythenshawe community, the company feels a strong responsibility to generate positive outcomes for the people who live in the surrounding area.
By investing in grassroots technology education, Datum aims to support the broader Manchester tech hub by nurturing future professionals. Code club tutor Liam Cookson welcomed the new equipment and partnership and said: “We’re pleased to have the support of an important local player in the tech industry.”
Kerry Quinn, Manager of People & Office Operations at Datum Datacentres, explained the motivation behind the partnership:
“We value our role within the local community in Wythenshawe and are pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile project. Technical digital skills are becoming increasingly important so it’s excellent to see that a cohort of potential new talent is being shaped so young.”
