Get festive with us! Plus - catch up on what you might have missed at DigiFest...
By Sarah Cronk, November 2024
We're back to business as usual this month, now that Eastbourne DigiFest is done and dusted! What does that mean for this newsletter? Well, it's a bumper edition. Keep reading for:
Your invite to DigiFestive
Catch up videos from Eastbourne DigiFest 2024
Our interview with Fountain Digital's Heather Whitmore
Be a mentor for the Digital Futures Accelerator and inspire the next generation of tech talent
Retro games & stop motion workshop tonight
Get to Grips with AI on Friday 29 November
B Corp achievement for Zoonou
One for the weekend! Try Eastbourne's Virtual Gamer Hub
December's Chalk Connect coming soon
As the year wraps up, we're getting ready for Chalk Eastbourne's Christmas get-together - and we'd love for you to join us for Eastbourne DigiFestive,
Thursday 28th November
5.30pm - 7.30pm
FOUNDRY Eastbourne, BN21 3NW
FREE, with donations on the night to Children With Cancer Fund
Open to all our Chalk Eastbourne community and Switchplane friends, whether you know us through our work, Eastbourne DigiFest, Chalk Connect, FOUNDRY, or simply our newsletters, we can promise you a fun night of drinks, food and quizzing (so bring some brain power).
FOUNDRY's Hanna Searle will be jazzing things up with some festive tunes to entertain us - and there'll also be opportunity for networking too if you're in the mood!
It's your chance to catch up with acquaintances old and new, and our chance to say thanks for all your support over the year. And while we're all in the spirit of giving thanks (yes, it's on Thanksgiving!), we're also giving back. We'll be collecting donations on the night for Children With Cancer Fund via QR code or cash.
We hope you can join us!
Eastbourne DigiFest video catch up now live!
We're thrilled to release the catch up video playlist from Eastbourne DigiFest 2024, allowing you to watch 27 sessions - covering everything from crafting a pitch and navigating the start-up journey to gamification, VR, and AI.
The playlist also includes the sessions from our keynote speakers, Rowena Bird (Co-Founder of Lush - pictured above) and Adam Goswell (Head of Digital and R&D at Lush), who discuss innovations across their company.
Please watch, catch up, and share to your heart's content - including with any other members of your team who may benefit from the CPD. There's plenty of takeaways to be had from the range of sessions, all for free.
Thanks for your patience while we've been busy preparing these for you!
Eastbourne Youth Radio - listen back
If you missed hearing Fountain Digital's Heather Whitmore discuss her career journey in tech with Switchplane's Donna Fielder live on Eastbourne Youth Radio, never fear.
Not only will it be played live on EYR.org.uk at 1pm today, we've made the recording available to listen to over on YouTube. One to inspire the next generation that there are local jobs in tech out there for them? We think so!
Be a mentor for the Digital Futures Accelerator and inspire the next generation of tech talent
The Digital Futures Accelerator is seeking industry mentors to support an exciting, county-wide competition designed to engage Year 10 students in East Sussex with the world of digital careers.
Led by the East Sussex Careers Hub and TechNative Digital, this project gives students the chance to develop and pitch their own imagined digital product, gaining hands-on experience in web development, business planning, and creative media. Your expertise could make a real difference in inspiring the next generation of tech talent.
As an industry mentor, you will:
Guide and support a school team throughout the project, focusing on concept development and strategic planning (not technical instruction).
Help students refine their ideas for the Technical Challenge (creating a functional website homepage), the Creative Challenge (developing logos, promotional videos, and social media content), and the Business Challenge (creating a business plan and marketing strategy).
Attend three key mentor meetings to kick off, check in, and prepare for the final competition.
Record a short career video to be used in Digital Careers assemblies, inspiring students with your own journey in tech.
Attend the final awards event in June 2024, where students will present their projects and showcase their skills.
Why mentor?
Inspire the next generation and spark student interest in digital careers.
Share your knowledge and make a lasting impact on your people in your community.
Help bridge the gap between education and the tech industry, preparing students with the real-world skills they need for future success.
Want more info on the project? Check out more details here or email dan@technativedigital.com with any questions.
Art of Action: Retro games & stop motion workshop TONIGHT!
Toad Lickers Collective and Worm Factory have joined forces to bring themed workshops and film screenings to Towner as part of Art of Action, a UK-wide film season supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network.
Before the (bookable) screening of Scott Pilgrim vs the World at the Towner cinema, join the free drop-in workshops in Towner's Studio space tonight from 5.30pm.
You're welcome to just hang out in the space, or join in for:
Retro games - Retro gaming stations will be set up for casual playing, solo or in a group!
Stop-motion animation - Worm Factory will show you how to make your own stop-motion shorts using plasticine and other materials.
Chiptune production - Learn how to make chiptune songs out of retro video game sound affects and samples.
Get to Grips with AI!
Join Switchplane's Tom Fielder, Pearce Marketing's Emma Pearce, and Loch Associates' Victoria Regan on Friday 29th November as they help you to demystify AI, unlock potential business opportunities, boost your productivity with practical tips, and consider the legal implications.
Whether you're a total beginner or already dabbling with AI, this morning session - with breakfast! - is open to all.
Friday 29th November
7.30am - 10.30am
The Royal Eastbourne Golf Club, BN20 9BP
B Corp status for software testing company Zoonou
Congratulations to local software testing and QA company Zoonou, who recently certified as a B Corp company with a score of 104.2.
B Corp companies meet high verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Through collective ownership and doing business the right way, zoonou believe their company can inspire change.
One for the weekend! Try Eastbourne's Virtual Gamer Hub
Did you know Eastbourne has its very own Virtual Gamer Hub, where you can immerse yourself in virtual reality?
Tucked below Creams in the town centre, you'll find an ultimate destination for VR experiences. From solo games to 8-player games, the venue promises a unique and unforgettable experience every time you visit. Team up with friends, conquer challenges, and create memories.
One last thing...
Chalk Connect is back as usual on the first Tuesday of the month, the next session being Tuesday 3rd December from 5pm - 7pm at FOUNDRY. It's a free to attend, dedicated space for collaborative exploration and learning, so come along to share your ideas, strengthen your skills, and expand your network.
What's more, the next session will feature a lightning talk from Dan Wallman on the Digital Futures Accelerator, as well as CAKE to celebrate our meet up's 1st birthday.
