Get Started in Creative Technology Week

Our partnership with The King’s Trust reflects a shared commitment to creating real pathways into the creative tech sector – helping young people build skills, confidence, and take their first steps towards sustainable careers.

Damien Reynolds BEM, Mindera UK Foundation Charity Lead

Curiosity and creativity took over the Mindera UK Leicester office as the Foundation welcomed the first Get Started in Creative Technology cohort with The King’s Trust.

Across five days, a group of young adults aged 16 to 30 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) explored AI, robotics and logical thinking through play and hands-on activities. From programming Sphero robots, to designing games with Firebase Studio, and building confidence through collaborative problem-solving. As a software development organisation, it’s truly special to be able to share the latest tech with the younger generation.

About the course

During the week-long programme, attendees had the opportunity to get hands-on with creative tech, explore the world of technology and build confidence along the way. With support from friendly industry experts and working alongside their peers, the young people had the opportunity to:

• Try practical, playful activities that show how apps, games and digital tools are made
• Design ideas using paper, LEGO, craft materials and digital tools
• Tackle robotics and gaming challenges
• Learn how AI works while staying safe online
• Discover strengths and build problem‑solving skills
• Create a team project to test and showcase

I found Mindera to be a very forward-facing group of people. They're very open with their philosophy and what they want to do in terms of push you and the people who are doing the courses forward.

Tobi (28), Attendee

Why does Mindera have a Foundation?

For Mindera, the Foundation is the bridge between our business and the world around us. It’s how we turn our craft into community value: our people mentoring, our spaces opening doors, and our culture helping future talent see themselves in tech.

Mindera’s vision of building charitable Foundations around the world began in Portugal with the Mindera PT Foundation. Mindera UK Foundation empowers young adults (16 to 30) who are NEET to discover their potential in tech – helping them learn, explore and grow towards a future where every young person can thrive in an inclusive and accessible digital world.

The whole environment that's been created has been one that I have found really easy to immerse myself into.

Riley (18), Attendee

For some young people, their first experience of an office environment is setting foot into the Mindera UK in Leicester. Being inside a professional environment, seeing where developers sit and how they collaborate is half the battle in helping a young person believe they belong there.

It felt like almost a hub, like a home away from home. Just coming in here, I felt more motivated.

Rosie (20), Attendee

What’s next?

Following the inaugural Get Started in Creative Technology Week, Mindera UK Foundation came together with The King’s Trust for an End of Programme review and the message was clear: the event made a lasting impact, with attendees like Bradley (20) already moving into permanent employment.

Feedback was exceptional, averaging 9.8 for enjoyment, 9.3 for usefulness, 9.2 for learning and 9.5 for recommendation; 100% rated enjoyment 9-10 and 91% would recommend.

What resonated most was the making and doing, building websites and apps, trying AI, presenting and wireframing, alongside new friendships and a safe, supportive environment.

I enjoyed this week learning new things each day and talking with people on the course, friendly staff and a safe environment.

Jake (21), attendee

Building on this momentum, our partnership with The King’s Trust continues with more Get Started cohorts for 16 to 30-year-olds who are NEET, plus support across programmes like Explore and Get Hired – an exciting next step!