The re-launch of the Badu X Sky Up Digital Hub

LONDON, June 2024 — We are delighted to share the official relaunch of the Sky Up and Badu Digital Hub located in Hackney, East London. The new space is in an ideal location that is welcoming, convenient and accessible to the community that we continue to serve and support on the quest for digital literacy and tech accessibility for all. This brilliant space forms an integral part of Badu’s ecosystem that catalyses change through dynamic community inclusion.

Sky’s commitment to the legacy of the Badu Digital hub that was originally opened in March 2022 has continued with this relocation and we are excited to see what this evolution of the space will bring to the organisation and it’s offering to the wider community.

“During lockdown, we all truly understood the gap in digital equality for the most underserved communities. The new Sky Up Digital hub in Hackney is an important solution to start closing that gap. We are delighted to be partnering with Sky who are seeking deeper impact when it comes to tackling digital inequality.”

Nana Badu, CEO and founder of Badu Sports

Since the Spring of 2022, the Sky Up and Badu Digital hub has hosted a wide variety of workshops and events covering areas such as mentoring; career insight talks; basic tech skills; support in accessing opportunities; podcasting and event he recording of a local school’s fundraising Christmas single! Then the lease for the previous location came to an end, it was inevitable that the hub would need to be relocated as it had become even more apparent that it was a key space that many groups valued and wanted to continue having access to. The Hub’s most used group is recorded as students needing an alternative location to study in preparation for their exams during the months of May and June.

“I found my experience at the Badu Hub very useful and convenient. At this time of the school year libraries may be full and busy, and the facilities Badu offered provided me with a quiet area to do my work but also mentors who helped me with anything I needed.”

Hub Beneficiary

Key stats for this group:

⋅ 21 PARTICIPANTS

⋅ 63% OF PARTICIPANTS ARE FEMALES

⋅ 37% OF PARTICIPANTS ARE MALE

⋅ 81% OF PARTICIPANTS WERE FROM BLACK BACKGROUNDS

⋅ 19% WERE FROM MIXED BACKGROUNDS & OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS

⋅ 29% OF THE STUDENTS PREDICTED A GRADE A*

⋅ 64% PREDICTED A GRADE A

⋅ 71% PREDICTED A GRADE B

⋅ 29% PREDICTED A GRADE C

⋅ AGES FROM 15-18

⋅ 46% OF THE STUDENTS WERE ON FREE SCHOOL MEALS

⋅ 97% OF PARTICIPANTS STATES THAT THE STUDY SPACE ENHANCED THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THIER EXAM

About Sky Up Hubs

The Sky Up Hubs programme helps to bridge the digital divide in our most underserved communities across the UK, Ireland and Italy by providing access to reliable internet connections, tech equipment, volunteer support and bespoke events such as digital skills sessions and employability training.

Since 2022 Sky up have created 70 Sky Up Hubs with amazing charities at the heart of their communities, helping over 12,000 individuals connect to free Sky Broadband, with thousands more accessing digital support through our Hubs and donating over 2,300 devices to charities. 25% of beneficiaries used our Hubs in 2023 because they don’t have broadband at homw, with 91% of beneficiaries now feeling more confident using the internet and 93% having learned new skills and keen to learn more.