Digital and technology workshops and events planned in Stockport throughout February

A series of workshops and events are taking place throughout February to give Stockport residents the opportunity to experience new digital technologies first-hand.

The Make Stuff workshops form part of Stockport Council’s Digi Fest, which runs throughout February, and also as part of Stockport’s Town of Culture activities and will be hosted by MadLab.

Events will range from family-friendly activities to inspire young people, to workshops for experienced developers in Stockport, tech meetups and a two-day Hackathon to explore digital solutions for local community issues.

Free and low-cost Make Stuff activities taking place throughout February include:

• Create a Video Game on 3 February for ages 15 plus who love gaming and would like to learn all about game design and how to develop a Game Boy-style game.
• 3D Modelling: Creating a Beehouse on 6 February for adults who want to learn more about solitary bees and how to create a sustainable 3D printed beehouse using Fusion 360.
• 3D Modelling: Creating a Fidget Bolt Keyring! using Fusion 360 on 13 February.
• Introduction to GitHub: Workshop Series, a website and cloud-based service that helps developers store and manage their code, on 14, 15, 21 and 22 February.
• Meet the Meetups on 15 February to introduce adults to Greater Manchester’s exciting tech meetup ecosystem, from gatherings for JavaScript enthusiasts to socials for total beginners and meetups for women in tech and coders for good.
• Intro to Node.js: an online workshop on 16 February to learn about an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that allows people to use JavaScript to build backend applications.
• Whatever Next: High Res Clothes Peg, on 17 February and Whatever Next: Cheeky Futures on 24 February to explore a topic with a guest speaker with creative digital skills who will support participants on their journey and imagine how it will take place in the future.
• Code Golf Workshop on 21 February for those who want to hone their programming skills by solving coding challenges, then work in pairs to perfect their code.
• Intro to Express.js: An Online Workshop on 23 February for developers who want to learn about the web application framework for Node.js.
• Community Hackathon on 28 and 29 February for people who want to make a difference by joining other change-makers to use combined creativity and problem-solving skills to prototype solutions for local community issues.

Rachael Turner, Director of MadLab CIC, which is hosting the events, said:

“I am incredibly excited about the upcoming Make Stuff events this February, and I want to personally welcome you to this journey into the world of digital creativity. Our team at MadLab has worked passionately to curate a diverse range of workshops and experiences suitable for all ages and skill levels. The intersection of technology, innovation, and community engagement is at the heart of what we do, and Make Stuff is a testament to our commitment. Whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or a curious beginner, there’s something special waiting for you. Join us on this adventure, explore the possibilities, and let’s make February a month to remember! Looking forward to seeing you at our events.”

Cllr Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources at Stockport Council, said:

“Here in Stockport, we are at the forefront of helping our communities get online and keep up to date in a fast-changing world whether they are setting up businesses here as professionals or just wanting to get online to stay in touch with family and friends.”

The Make Stuff project running throughout DigiFest is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which forms part of the Government’s wider Levelling Up agenda and has been made possible thanks to support from Stockport Council and GMCA.