Circuit Tech Hubs

Take your digital makerspace up a level. Implement a thoughtful, co-created, youth work approach to digital skills development designed by and for young people with care experience. We are looking for six organisations who can help deliver the Circuit vision and contribute to the growth of makerspaces in the youth work setting. Join us on 10th March from 1.30pm to 3.30pm to find out about the plans and how you can get involved in delivering during 2025.

Work with us to grow tech hubs in Scotland

We are looking for six organisations who can help deliver the Circuit vision and contribute to the growth of makerspaces in the youth work setting.

This is a sub-contract opportunity to join us to implement the next phase in the development of Circuit Tech Hubs in Scotland. A budget of £5k is available per sub-contract organisation, plus the opportunity to take part in a valuable community of practice.

Circuit tech hubs are places where young people with care experience can learn new skills and socialise in a space that is vibrant, creative and friendly. Circuit provides a 12 session programme in creative tech – that could be anything from filmmaking to game design, from coding and podcasting.

Our aim for this project is to create new opportunities for young people with care experience to explore and develop digital skills in a positive and empowering setting.

Join us on 10th March from 1.30pm to 3.30pm to find out about the plans and how you can get involved in delivering during 2025.

The Circuit mission

To provide a safe learning environment for people with care experience, who want to learn new things and socialise.

Circuit core values

Accessible and inclusive
Every Circuit hub and programme is designed to be accessible from physical access needs to neurodiversity.
Digital relevance
Our programmes will help young people to develop their tech skills whether for life or for work. You can choose themes from our toolkit that fit with the interests and skills of you and your group.
Vibrant, creative and friendly space
The Circuit package includes funding and a blueprint to create a Circuit branded space for your group to meet, relax, socialise and learn.

Who you are

You will be an organisation that already delivers youth work. You will have the confidence and knowledge to deliver a programme that enables young people to develop their digital skills. You may already work with young people with care experience or else will have a partnership that enables you to recruit young people to participate in the project. You will already have:

Accessible building.
Trained youth workers.
A digital skill you can share with young people.
Comprehensive safeguarding policies.

Your young people

Our focus is for young people in the 16 – 26 age range. We may consider delivery to younger groups.

What you will do

Create a Circuit-branded, accessible space as the home for your project.
Recruit the young people to participate in the programme.
Deliver a 12- session project to launch or grow your own digital makerspace..
Take a holistic, community-focused approach to creating a positive environment .
Include activities from the Circuit Toolkit .
Commit to attending the community of practice sessions.
Participate in impact evaluation for the project.
Thoughtfully support next steps for the young people involved.
Explore ways to sustain the project beyond the funded project.

What we will do

Provide the blueprint for a Circuit branded space.
Provide a flexible toolkit of resources to help you plan and deliver your sessions.
Provide advice and support around accessibility including a visit to assess your space.
Provide information and support on working with young people with care experience, shaped by people with lived experience, with training on digital inclusion and makerspace activities.
Provide a community of practice where you can learn, share and grow, including regular check-ins during the project. This will include digital champion training to help staff develop the confidence and skills to engage young people in the digital space.
Support impact evaluation and potential sign-posting information.

2025 Timeline

21st March Deadline for expressions of interest.
16th April Delivery organisations appointed.
12th May Community of Practice – 2 hours: Session 1.
May/June Community of Practice – 1 hour: Session 2 – Accessibility (open session).
30th May Young people recruited to join project.
9th June Community of Practice – 2 hours: Session 3.
June – October – 12 session project delivery (either weekly or intensive summer programme).
November – Reflection and evaluation and planning for next steps.

Monthly community of practice check-ins during the project, support around digital inclusion, skills development, accessibility and more.

How to apply

Please complete our short expression of interest document, explaining how you would meet the aims of the project by 21st March. We suggest you join on 10th March before completing the application,

More about Circuit

Circuit Scotland has been developed by a group of consultants – young people with an interest in developing creative digital skills. The young people involved in the project as consultants are all care experienced. The project is led by YMCA in partnership with YouthLink Scotland, Mhor Collective, Renfrewshire Council, Barnardos Scotland.

Circuit Scotland is a legacy project of the Life Changes Trust.