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The Digital Skills, Innovation & Learning Hub has delivered a major step forward for Boscombe. Established as a pilot under the Towns Fund programme, the hub has exceeded many of its original targets and supported thousands of residents, learners, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. The programme has helped build confidence, improve digital access, and strengthen the local skills base to support employment and business development.
The project was allocated £950,000 of Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) grant funding in August 2021. The aim was to create both a physical and virtual hub that signposts local people to accessible and relevant training, with a focus on digital skills to enhance employability and support business growth.
The Boscombe Engagement Hub opened on 1 April 2022 and has delivered wide-ranging support through skills development, mentoring, events, workshops, and training programmes delivered with employers and education partners.
By September 2025, the Digital Skills Hub programme had outperformed several targets and successfully delivered:
The scale of participation highlights the value the hub has offered to local residents and businesses. High engagement from entrepreneurs and established enterprises demonstrates that the hub has become a trusted resource for digital development and business growth.
A total of £950,000 was allocated to the programme. As of September 2025, £766,841 had been spent, representing 81% of the total budget. Funding was directed into course delivery, digital access, equipment, platform development, staffing, and premises costs.
Investment Breakdown
The investment supported a broad mix of accredited courses, business bootcamps, digital discovery workshops, Microsoft Excel for Professionals, Tech Tasters, and industry-focused tech talks. These helped participants gain practical skills in areas including:
The hub became a central support base for start-ups, freelancers, and established local businesses. Thousands of enterprises benefited from guidance, mentoring, collaboration opportunities, and enterprise-readiness support.
The programme also supported the creation and delivery of the AUB Business Incubator, launched in July 2025. This free structured programme supports early-stage creative entrepreneurs with mentoring, prototyping facilities, networking, and up to £5,000 worth of support.
Usage data shows that the hub improved digital confidence across a range of age groups and backgrounds. Many participants progressed into employment, further education, or new business ventures, contributing to broader economic growth in Boscombe.
Hosted at the Royal Arcade, the Engagement Hub welcomed more than 27,000 visitors and provided essential signposting to regional training providers and resources.
The Digital Skills, Innovation & Learning Hub has strengthened digital capability, enhanced employability, and supported business growth across the community. The programme has supported thousands of residents and businesses, broadened access to digital learning, and delivered measurable contributions to the wider regeneration of Boscombe.
The outcomes achieved will continue to inform future skills planning and digital inclusion initiatives across Boscombe and the wider BCP area.
As the Boscombe Digital Skills Hub prepares to close on 28 February 2026, the project is capturing the valuable assets and resources developed throughout the programme. This includes creating an online archive, maintaining the Digital Skills Hub's online presence and branding, and preserving bespoke course content. At the same time, the Council is developing a wider Digital Inclusion strategy to support residents across the BCP region.
A business plan is being prepared to assess how the programme could be carried forward into the next financial year, while wider community projects, including the new community centre, progress. Embedding the best practice and learning from the Digital Skills Hub into business-as-usual activity will be a key part of the Council's Digital Strategy and an important legacy for local people.
“Enabling a much brighter future for all local residents and businesses”
Graham Farrant, Chief Executive of BCP Council
“Creating a digital and creative technology ecosystem to enable a much brighter future for all local residents and business will help to ignite the aspirations of local residents young and old, and local businesses; both start-ups and established. This will generate real momentum for Boscombe’s wide regeneration aspirations and improve its long-term prospects as a place to live and work.”
The DSH is aimed at Boscombe resident and businesses. Currently circa 70% of those who seek our help are from the Boscombe Towns Fund area.
Pop into the Hub at the Royal Arcade to sign up or, if you are able to get online already visit the website for a list of available courses: https://www.digitalskillshub.org.uk/
No! Everything we currently offer is free, although some courses targeted at businesses may attract a fee in the future.
You can use our laptops and PCs when you are enrolled in our courses or in a supervised activity.
Generally we are open between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, but events and talks take place in the evenings as well so check the website or pop in for more details. Sometimes we have to limit access if training is underway in our main learning space but will try to help you if you come round to the side door inside the Royal Arcade itself.
Engagement Hub:
30-32 Royal Arcade, Boscombe,
Bournemouth BH1 4BT
email [email protected]
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Bournemouth Towns Fund
