11^th May 2023, London: Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London was joined today by Community Fibre CEO Graeme Oxby to present the Mile End Community Project with Community Fibre’s first-ever annual Local Hero Award, in recognition of its inspiring impact on young people.

Launched and run by local volunteers, the Mile End-based initiative runs notable award-winning community projects for young people in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets providing creative digital opportunities as well as insights and access into the digital and film industry.

The award also includes a free 1 Gbps 100% full fibre Community Fibre broadband connection, making it the London-based provider’s 500th freely connected community space across the capital, as part of its mission to provide better broadband access for everyone, helping communities stay connected with friends and family, and provide residents with the digital skills to explore new opportunities online.

Theo Blackwell MBE and Graeme Oxby were met by Nurull Islam, Co-Founder of the Mile End Community Project along with young people to discuss more about the innovative projects it offers, which included presentations and talks by some of its members.

In celebration of Mile End Community Project’s award-win, Community Fibre will be hosting a pop-up fair at the centre today (Thursday, 11^th May) from 12 noon to 6pm for residents which includes:

• A Digital Drop-In Clinic, open to anybody wanting to brush-up on their digital skills, or become a volunteer for Community Fibre’s Digital Ambassador programme,
• As well as a Community Fibre Recruitment Stand for anyone looking for new job opportunities, such as B2C Sales Reps, Customer Engineers, and Field Service Engineers

 Community Fibre is also offering residents in Mile End three months free across any of its 100% full fibre broadband packages on both 12-month and 24-month contracts, for those wanting to join London’s largest₁ and fastest₂ fibre broadband network. To join using the exclusive offer, residents can go to communityfibre.co.uk/Mile-End and use the discount count ‘MECP’ when at the checkout.

Commenting, Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London said: “Mile End Community Project has done incredible work supporting people of all ages to get online. We are so grateful for Nurull and all the team's dedication and commitment to Mile End, where they have made a significant impact in bridging the digital divide and empowering the community with essential digital skills. Huge progress is being made in connecting hundreds of thousands of Londoners to full fibre broadband, but it’s a sad reality that there are still many who struggle with accessing the internet. Every Londoner should have digital access, and the Mayor and I want to support groups like Mile End Community Project through Get Online London, providing them with vital resources such as devices, connectivity and learning opportunities to help their local residents.” 

Nurull Islam, Mile End Community Project Co-founder continued: “We're over the moon to get our hands on this award and super-fast, fibre connection. This upgrade is a game-changer for how we work and connect with the digital world. It means we can serve our members like never before and stay up to date. Our members will also get to experience internet at such a speed and will helpfully help unlock the full potential of the digital world.” 

Graeme Oxby, Chief Executive Officer of Community Fibre added: “At Community Fibre, we believe that everyone should have access to the best internet to ensure growth and greater opportunities for all. Closing the digital divide is our priority. We are proud to award the Mile End Community Project with Community Fibre’s first-ever ‘Local Hero’ award, in support of our focus to facilitate better internet for everyone supported by our Community Investments and Digital Ambassadors programme. 

Community Fibre is passionate about giving back to the local communities and has its own team of Digital Ambassadors who are always on hand to provide local, digital skills training workshops. To provide support and education to those who require new digital skills, Community Fibre trains members of the community to become qualified Digital Ambassadors, to digitally empower people within the community. Skills taught at local sessions can range from the basics of how to use email and social media, to website building and helping residents stay connected. To find out more, visit Community Fibre’s Community Connect page here.

 

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_{Notes to editors}

_{₁ Source: Community Fibre build according to ThinkBroadband}

_{₂ Source: UK average download and upload speeds are 59.4 Mbps and 10.7 Mbps, respectively - Ofcom UK Home Broadband Performance, download average based on median. Published October 2022.}

 

_{About Community Fibre} 

_{Community Fibre is future-proofing London communities by delivering 100% full-fibre broadband in the capital city, by believing in a more inclusive future where everyone has access to better broadband.}

_{Community Fibre offers the fastest 100% full fibre broadband in London, with up to 10,000 Mbps for businesses and up to 3,000 Mbps for consumers, at the most competitive prices on the market. Through offering more reliable and affordable 100% full fibre connections, Community Fibre empowers communities, enabling them to connect with friends and family and access crucial services online.}

_{Community Fibre was recently awarded 2023’s Best Alternative Network by Uswitch, as well as the UK’s Best Consumer Internet Service Provider (fewer than 100k, customers) for the third year running at the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) Awards 2022, in addition to being recognised as the Best Business Internet Service Provider.}

_{Currently, Community Fibre operates in the following London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Bexley, Bromley, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, and Westminster.}