As part of efforts to increase awareness and access to coding in York, City of York Council is hosting its first code club event on Wednesday 28 October.

City of York Council’s Digital York Team in association with Code Club UK are running York’s first Code Club event to help young people learn to code. Young people are invited to attend the event which takes place on Wednesday between 10am and 4pm at Explore York Library Learning Centre.

Places are available coding sessions running throughout the day to build robots, remote control cars using Raspberry Pis, try some 3D printing and a chance to meet a successful York app developer. Young people will also have the chance to win tickets to the X Factor Live Finals, tablets and many other prizes as part of a competition.

The aim of coding is not only to teach children how to programme a computer but also build skills in problem solving and logic as well as develop skills that can be used in other activities, hobbies and careers.

Councillor Ian Gillies, Executive Member for Transport and Planning with responsibility for digital infrastructure, said: “This promises to be a great event offering the chance for young people to learn all about code. Coding is important for young people growing up in a digital age and the event looks to teach code in an interesting and engaging way. Hopefully the Code Club event will see the start of increased provision across the city and would urge anyone interested in getting involved to contact the Digital York team for more information.”

It is hoped the event, in conjunction with Code Club UK, will kick-start  increased access to coding sessions for young people across the city. The event will also see the start of a campaign for volunteers to support the scheme by offering to run code sessions. For more information please email digitalcity@york.gov.uk

For more details on the code club event and to book a place at the event please visit http://bit.ly/CodeYork or call 01904 552999.