Our founding notebook!
Jacquie Disney, one of LIFT’s founders, is inspired whilst working in Cambodia and sets down ideas for a new approach to technology
LIFT
Harnessing the digital medium to deliver projects that inspire learning.
Harnessing the digital medium to deliver projects that inspire learning.
Our mission is to demonstrate the belief that everyone deserves an equal chance to succeed and flourish in education through project work that takes advantage of the digital medium as a powerful tool for social inclusion.
Speech by Lord Puttnam (then Sir David Puttnam) at LIFT formal launch.
Our objectives are as follows:
LIFT was charitably founded in 1995 by educators in a climate of rising technology usage and immense opportunities presented by the Information Revolution. There was also growing awareness of a Digital Divide threatening deeper levels of exclusion for those most disadvantaged.
Originally called LIFT — Learning for Life with Technology, the organisation restructured in 2005 and adopted the shorter name of LIFT for Learning.
Activities between 1995–99 focused on community outreach and research, both in the UK and internationally. During this period LIFT developed accessible IT projects for schools, libraries, museums and neighbourhood centres, also joining forces with local groups to run computer fun days.
In 2000 LIFT launched the Community Web initiative, running IT workshops linked to popular themes. Community Web’s appeal led to Family Web, helping parents to support their children’s learning while gaining new skills for themselves as adult learners.
LIFT launched DigiSmart as a pilot project in 2001 to help primary school children whose literacy struggles were preventing them from accessing the opportunities of the World Wide Web. The project expanded nationally, eventually working in partnership with over 1,000 schools and supporting more than 20,000 under-achieving children to improve their reading.
In 2016 the original DigiSmart online programme was remodelled to app format in order to disseminate a more flexible, scalable and future-proofed model, one that would reach and extend benefits to many more children. Trialling in schools, training, monitoring and support activities continued throughout this transitional period.
After two decades the completion of the DigiSmart project was achieved in 2022, enriched by an addition to the core reading programme. The full DigiSmart portfolio of educational apps is now published and available on the App Store.
Projects are developed from the grassroots up and address gaps in provision.
Our most long-running and continuing project, DigiSmart, is a highly motivating initiative for upper Key Stage 2 children before they leave primary school, enabling them to catch up in their reading, wider literacy and learning.
Previous and other projects include:
LIFT for Learning is a charitable organisation and a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England.
Company registration number 05544951.
© LIFT for Learning 2024. All rights reserved. Any unauthorised copying of these materials, including images licensed to LIFT, is prohibited. Other images and trademarks appearing on this site are acknowledged as trademarks of their respective owners.
Jacquie Disney, one of LIFT’s founders, is inspired whilst working in Cambodia and sets down ideas for a new approach to technology
Lord Puttnam (then Sir David Puttnam) delivers LIFT keynote speech at BETT, the UK’s leading educational technology show, 1996
A few of the many visuals on the long winding road of ideas to developing a friendly and human face for technology
It’s official: vibrant orange letterheads for LIFT and business cards that break the ice at meetings –— by literally lifting
Invited to participate in Department for Trade and Industry (DTi) conference announcing ‘IT for All’ wider access campaign
LIFT promotes its mission at the British Academy of Film & Television Arts, with Lord Puttnam delivering a prophetic speech
Early design ideas for LIFT resources experiment with making IT more approachable – hand-drawn and focusing on people
Strategies for schools wanting to increase parental involvement using technology, with case studies of pioneering practice
Breaking down barriers — LIFT goes on the road with popular hands-on events in venues not associated with IT, 1997–99
‘Putting the COMMUNITY into dotCOM’ — rallying call on first brochure as LIFT gears up for major programmes
Web of possibilities — LIFT seeks funding for far-reaching programme of resources and training. Secures first-ever grant support!
The year 2000: LIFT starts to develop and deliver Community Web from office space in a renovated Victorian Leathermarket
Demand from community partners for support to foster family learning through IT leads to a dedicated programme
Huge fun developing and trialling Computer Playtime online resource in schools, libraries and voluntary sector venues
LIFT pilots DigiSmart, 2002, developed for children struggling with new literacy demands posed by the World Wide Web
Grant support and a delightful extra from the Roald Dahl Foundation (now Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity)
Fiona McLean, 13 Nov 1952 – 4 Sept 2011
Strong, uncompromising, loyal
Barbara Mottershead, 3 May 1951 – 31 May 2014
Forthright, digital, brave
LIFT training events in North East England allow time for a sense of wonder to inspire team planning
Continuing adventurously — fearless LIFT team member poses on the edge to encourage blue sky thinking for ambitious new direction
Original DigiSmart programme starts to assume new identity, beginning a series of educational apps
Major addition — DigiSmart literacy programme time travels across history to embrace reading comprehension
Full DigiSmart portfolio published on the App Store — out in the world for many more children
