Community Stories

Coding, creativity, and community: Our 2025 Code Club stories

Every week, in classrooms, libraries, and community spaces around the world, young people gather to make, tinker, and imagine with code. Behind every project is a volunteer, a teacher, or a parent helping to spark curiosity and confidence.

At Code Club, it’s these moments of connection and creativity that remind us what community really means. As we look back on 2025, we’re celebrating you — the people who make it all possible.

A group of children and an adult stand in a classroom, smiling and holding colorful signs that say 'Join the club', 'We made this', 'code club', and 'Be cool'.

Community highlights

USA: Powered by sourdough — a big start for 8-bit Code Club in Minnesota

It’s been an exciting start for the 8-bit Code Club in Minnesota, USA, which launched this autumn in the local library and runs on Saturday afternoons. Parents say they’re grateful to Code Club and the library space, which provide their children with access to technology they may not have at home.

The club leader has also been creative in raising funds for equipment, selling sourdough bread at the local farmers’ market. Thanks to her efforts, the club has already purchased several Raspberry Pi computers and monitors, with micro:bits next on the wishlist.

A display case at a farmers' market featuring various types of artisanal bread, including plain, honey walnut, rye with caraway, olive herb, and pumpkin spice.

India: Coding for change — Gujarat’s girls break barriers

A visit to the Welspun Code Clubs in Gujarat, India highlighted a remarkable group of girls who have overcome significant barriers to education. Many had previously been unable to attend school, but with strong community support — including families agreeing to send girls once they were permitted to wear traditional attire instead of uniforms — they are now confidently creating Scratch projects and engaging with technology.

“Meeting these girls was truly inspiring. Watching them code with such pride, knowing the challenges they’ve overcome, reminded me how Code Club can shift perceptions and shape brighter futures.” – Suraj Jena, Programme Coordinator

A group of six young individuals, dressed in colorful traditional attire, smiles together in a community space, showcasing camaraderie and enthusiasm for technology and coding.

Kenya: From wildlife to heritage — Lamu’s coders shine

Code Club mentor, Mariam Abubakar from Mahmoud Bin Fadhil Boys School, Lamu, Kenya shares that her proudest moment this year was guiding her brilliant coders as they created and showcased four fantastic Scratch projects as part of Coolest Projects online showcase:

These projects blended coding with storytelling, environmental awareness, and national pride. Watching the students present with confidence and joy was a powerful reminder of how digital creativity can uplift young voices and celebrate heritage.

Remember, Coolest Projects 2026 opens on Wednesday 14 January. 

A group of young students collaborate around a table, engaged in coding activities on tablets in a classroom setting.

Ireland: Big discoveries in a small village — Kinnitty’s coders grow

For Kinnitty Code Club in rural Ireland choosing a single highlight was nearly impossible. But expanding their age range to 7+ was a standout moment.

“Witnessing the sheer shock and delight on these young creators’ faces when their first code runs is a feeling that never fades. That spark of discovery instantly reminds me why I have dedicated 13 years to running my club.” – Darren, Code Club mentor 

A group of young students in a classroom setting holds up devices while engaging with a computer screen that displays a coding project.

Australia: Young minds, big missions — Code Club Kawana steps up

Kaye shares how at Kawana Scouts, Code Club Kawana, Australia creators loved being testers for Moonhack projects earlier this year. It was their first time in the role, and they were thrilled to put their coding skills to the test — not just building from instructions, but thinking critically about how each project worked, how it could be improved, and whether it all made sense. Celebrate the success of this challenge and read the Moonhack insights blog. 

“They felt proud to contribute to a larger project, and even more excited to be on a ‘secret mission’ testing the projects before the competition began.” – Kaye North

Three children wearing green shirts, with headphones on, smiling and giving thumbs up while sitting at a table with laptops and stationery.

Celebrate together

Wherever you are in the world, we hope you feel proud of what you and your club have achieved this year. Together, you’ve helped make coding accessible to young people all over the world, and that’s something worth celebrating.

See you in 2026 and don’t forget to keep coding!

Orientations Training Centre: Sparking curiosity about coding

Orientations Training Centre, a Code Club global partner based in Sudan and currently working in Egypt, is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to equip young people with the programming skills needed for future careers. It also aims to inspire them to be innovative, creative problem-solvers through technology.

A young girl and a woman are engaged in a coding session at a table with a laptop, focusing intently as they explore programming activities.

Ruhee Shah, Global Partnerships Coordinator at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, spoke to Abdelmoneim Mohammed, CEO of the Orientations Training Centre, about how Code Club empowers young people to consider a future career in which technology plays a big role.

Learning through doing

The Orientations Training Centre launched its first Code Club in 2021 and has since grown rapidly to include over 450 active members. The programme is delivered in various ways, from hosting sessions for Sudanese students at the Orientations Training Centre in Cairo, Egypt, to running sessions in Khartoum, Sudan, and offering regular online sessions. The organisation’s success is rooted in its hands-on, project-based learning approach, which aligns with their philosophy of learning through doing, as well as teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in confidence, logical thinking, and collaboration among our students. Many have developed a strong sense of leadership and curiosity about how technology can improve their communities.”
– Abdelmoneim Mohammed, CEO of Orientations Training Centre

What young people enjoy most is the freedom to create games and digital stories to tackle real-world problems like health awareness and recycling, demonstrating their understanding of coding as a powerful tool to make a real difference in people’s lives.

“I learned that coding is not just about computers – it’s about solving problems and helping people.”

– Yasmin, Code Club creator

A young girl stands in front of a laptop and a screen displaying coding blocks and a game interface, engaged in a programming session.

A path to opportunity

Beyond Code Club, students have gone on to lead their own school STEM clubs, participate in international competitions, and even mentor younger learners, proving coding can unlock opportunities beyond programming.

“In our community, computing education represents a path to opportunity. It helps young people see themselves as creators, not just consumers of technology, and equips them with skills essential for future careers and innovation.”

“In our community, computing education represents a path to opportunity. It helps young people see themselves as creators, not just consumers of technology, and equips them with skills essential for future careers and innovation.”

– Abdelmoneim Mohammed, CEO of Orientations Training Centre

Hundreds of young creators have been empowered to develop digital solutions that address real-world problems. Students have represented Sudan in international innovation and robotics competitions, winning awards in Coolest Projects and the Codeavour AI and Robotics Competition.

“Code Club makes me feel like I can build anything I imagine.” 

– Abdelrhman, Code Club creator

Two young boys holding signs that read 'Coolest Projects Sudan' and 'Creativity', smiling in front of a laptop.

Overcoming challenges

Despite the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Abdelmoneim continues to persevere. Through virtual learning, strategic partnerships, and a dedicated team, he has ensured engaging and impactful sessions continue to be delivered to all his Code Club students, regardless of where they are currently based.

“Start small but dream big. A Code Club can change lives – not just by teaching coding but by nurturing problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders for the future.”

– Abdelmoneim Mohammed, CEO of Orientations Training Centre

Interested in running your own Code Club? Find out more on how to get started.

Coding, creativity, and community spirit: The story of Code Club Wirral

Since 2017, Code Club Wirral has been sparking curiosity, creativity, and confidence among hundreds of young people on the Wirral in Cheshire. This star club runs every Thursday evening, when Wallasey Library transforms into a bustling hub of discovery and lines of code turn into games, animations, and laughter.

A man and a young girl sitting at a computer station in a library, both smiling. The girl is using a computer mouse while the man looks on supportively.

Led by volunteer John, the club welcomes around 15 young people and their parents/carers each week. Though the club advertises for ages 9 to 13, even younger children — some as young as five — have joined in with enthusiasm and help from a parent. 

Over the years, John estimates that around 800 young people have attended the sessions, not including those met through outreach at local MakeFests.

“We’ve seen children grow in skill and confidence, and parents too! Every session brings a new spark of creativity and it’s amazing to see families travel from across the Wirral — sometimes over seven miles — just to join us,” says John.

A volunteer standing behind two children working on a computer at Code Club Wirral, with a table displaying a water bottle and notes in a library setting.

From parent to leader: How it all began

John’s journey into Code Club started, fittingly, with his own children. “I first took them to a Code Club at Seacombe Library, run by a brilliant team of volunteers,” he recalls. “The projects and resources from Code Club were fantastic; they really clicked with the kids. That’s when I decided to volunteer myself.”

With encouragement from librarian Elaine, and with a group of dedicated volunteers, John launched Code Club Wirral at Wallasey Library in 2017, and it has grown steadily ever since.

“It’s amazing how something as simple as sharing a coding project can open up a whole world of learning and confidence,” John reflects.

A group of six Code Club volunteers standing in a library, wearing matching t-shirts, smiling and posing for a photo.

Libraries and learning: A perfect partnership

Wirral Libraries have played a key role in Code Club’s success.The partnership has flourished over the years, with libraries providing both the space and the spirit that make the sessions special.

“The libraries serve as vital community hubs,” John explains. “The IT suites are perfect for Code Club, and we’ve built great connections with other clubs, creators, and volunteers through the library network.”

For Emma, one of the librarians at Wallasey Library, Code Club fits seamlessly with the library’s mission:

“It supports our learning and engagement and digital strategies,” she says. “We’re developing skills in a young demographic — building confidence, learning, transferable skills, and employability.”

And it’s not just coding that draws people in. When the club is in session, the atmosphere is bustling and engaged. Young people and parents often end up exploring books, borrowing micro:bits, and signing up for other library competitions and events.

The impact on young people and their families

The impact of Code Club Wirral is felt deeply by those who attend. For Erin, eight, Code Club is a highlight of her week. “It’s fun, chilled and relaxing,” she says proudly. “My first project was Ghostbusters. I was really proud of it. I didn’t think I’d do that well!”

Parents notice the difference, too. Hannah, who brings her son and daughter to Code Club and has been attending for eight weeks, says: “I thought they’d need more help, but they’re doing things I couldn’t do. Watching them solve challenges on their own, it’s fantastic.”

These stories echo what makes Code Club so special: it’s not just about learning to code, but about building resilience, creativity, and independence, and all in a supportive, community-driven environment.

A young boy interacts with a computer while an adult, partly visible, observes him, both engaged in a coding session at a library.

A ripple effect across the Wirral

Since its first session in 2017, Code Club Wirral has done more than teach digital skills;  it’s built a network of collaboration and curiosity that extends far beyond the library walls.

The club’s influence can be felt in the community: from parents discovering their children’s hidden talents, to librarians expanding their digital outreach, to volunteers forming lasting partnerships.

John, the volunteer team and the Wirral Libraries team show how a simple idea like sharing coding with young people can grow into something powerful and lasting.

Want to start your own Code Club?

If you’ve been inspired by Wirral’s Code Club story, visit codeclub.org to learn how you can start a club in your community or library.