Club members’ stories: Code Club is ‘Code-mazing!’

Code Club is all about our young members and helping them discover how they can use code for the things that matter most to them.

Meet 8-year-old, budding coder Oliver from Congleton in Cheshire, England. He’s recently joined Congleton Library Code Club, led by educator Rich Hind, who has been part of the Code Club community since 2016!

Oliver at Congleton Code Club

What do you do at Code Club?
“We code using Scratch.”

Why do you come to Code Club?
“Because I enjoy coding and want to learn more.”

What do you learn at Code Club?
“We learn what all the code blocks do and what happens when you put them together.”

What is your favourite part of Code Club?
“Coding, obviously! ”

Can you share one memory from Code Club that always makes you smile?
“Winning the biggest chocolate bar ever!”

Can you tell us about one time you helped someone else at your Code Club?
“I’ve actually not done that, no one needs help!”

Tell us about something you’ve made at Code Club that you’re really proud of!
“A bug maze”

If your friend was thinking about joining Code Club, what would you say to them?
“You learn how to use harder coding — I would tell them to join!”

If you had to describe Code Club in one word what would it be?
“Code-mazing!”

Complete this sentence: My Code Club leader Rich is amazing because…
“He knows everything about coding and he’s friendly.”

Code Club educator Rich had this to say about Oliver’s responses:

“I am really glad that Oliver is enjoying his time with us in Code Club (although, thinking I know everything about coding is a bit far!) and he is thoughtful and super engaged in what we do. I have seen him helping others in our class, but he is far too modest to tell you!”

You don’t need special expertise to start running your own Code Club, and you can help even more young people, like Oliver, learn coding and digital skills. Start a club today!

Say hello to the Code Club team 

Meet the Code Club team! We’re a small, but impactful team that are scattered across the world. Here’s a glimpse of who we are, our roles, and what we get up to in our spare time!

Tamasin Greenough Graham, Head of Code Club

“I lead the lovely Code Club team who support you, our amazing community, to run inspiring Code Clubs for children in your area. I make sure that we develop the Code Club programme to make the most impact, so that every young person can have fun while getting creative with coding.

I love to be outside and spend my free time camping and hiking.”

Darren Bayliss,  Programme Coordinator (Ireland)

“Hello from Ireland! I love working with the community across Ireland and building a network of clubs throughout schools.

But what I’m most passionate about is seeing firsthand the impact our work and mission have on young people. There is nothing better than seeing that smile when a person sees their piece of code work.”

Isabel Ronaldson, Global Community Coordinator

“I work with our partner organisations around the world, helping to bring Code Club and CoderDojo to even more young people internationally. I love hearing your stories and seeing the impact you have on your communities. I also love finding ways to make it easier for you to connect with even more learners.

In my spare time, I love good books, working in my garden, and cooking.”

Kat Leadbetter, Community Manager in England

“I’ve worked at Code Club for nearly 6 years, first supporting our international community and now helping to start clubs in England. Recently I’ve been leading our 10th birthday celebrations, and it’s been wonderful to look back on the incredible things our community has achieved over the past decade.

I enjoy music and I’m also one of three people in the team to have a degree in Astronomy.”

Kevin, Program Coordinator (USA) 

“It’s so nice to e-meet you! My name is Kevin and as the Clubs Program Coordinator, I support the amazing U.S. Code Club community. That’s right, from the North to the South, East and West! I love storytelling, and with a pen and my handy notebook, I aspire to highlight the inspirational stories that our community has to share!”

Sarah Eve Roberts, Community Coordinator (Wales)

“Helo from Wales! I’m the resident space boffin with a decade of experience teaching children about the stars. But the skill gap in Tech brought me down to Earth, and now I’m passionate about supporting and growing our fantastic Code Club community here in Wales. I want to help children all over the country to gain the skills they need to thrive in this technological era.”

Vasu, Programme Coordinator (India)

“Namaste from India! I love working with people, building connections, creating support systems for a better tomorrow! My work with Code Club has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, from witnessing the community in action in urban cities, to creating smaller hubs of learning in the most rural parts of India — it has been an absolute joy to see people coming together to shape the future of learning!”

Rujeko Moyo, Community Coordinator (England)

“Hi there! I’m super-passionate about holistic approaches to learning that prepare children to thrive in this ever-changing technological era that is called ‘The 21st century!’ So I’m thrilled to be riding on the Code Club bandwagon that is nurturing and unleashing these ever-so-vital skills. If you are based ANYWHERE in England and want to start a Code Club — I’m your go-to person!”

Zoe Davidson, Programme Coordinator

“You may recognise my name from your inbox! I keep you updated on all the exciting Code Club opportunities, along with celebrating you, the Code Club community. Your enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment is infectious and I thoroughly enjoy shouting about it!

Out of work you will find me mooching around galleries and trying to befriend daschunds!”

We always enjoy hearing about the inspiring work that happens in Code Clubs across the world. Share what your club members have achieved by contacting any of us at support@codeclub.org — it really does make us happy!

If you are interested in starting a Code Club, we’re on hand to help! If you’re based in the UK, Ireland, India, or the USA, head to this page. Signing up from somewhere else in the world? Take a look at how you can set up a Code Club.