What The Tech?! People-powered technology engagement

Now eight years old, the What The Tech?! programme's offer of human connection alongside tech support is more impactful than ever.

Technology can be daunting, especially if you didn’t grow up with it. But through What The Tech?! - an intergenerational community programme led by Imperial College London’s Community Engagement Team - local residents over 50 are gaining the confidence and skills they need to navigate the digital world. 

Launched in 2017 and now in its most impactful year yet, What The Tech?! is delivered in collaboration with students from Imperial Business School and local partners, Edward Woods Community Centre and the Masbro Elders Project.  The programme offers free one-to-one support with everyday technology, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and online services. 

The 2025 programme supported 21 local residents, with 29 Business School students volunteering their time, patience, and digital know-how. Each session was a welcoming space for learning and connection, where participants could bring any device or digital task and receive personalised support - all with a warm cup of tea and a slice of cake. 

“What The Tech?! is so much more than tech support - it’s about connection” said Farial Missi, Senior Community Partnerships and Engagement Manager at Imperial. “For participants, it tackles digital exclusion while creating intergenerational spaces that reduce social isolation and build confidence. And for our students, it fosters a real sense of belonging in the local community. They begin to understand the value of societal engagement - not just as volunteers, but as future leaders”.  

She added: “It’s also been fantastic to work with Bosede Ogunleye, Head of Student Community at Imperial Business School, who is a champion for embedding societal engagement at the core of the student experience – supporting opportunities for students to build meaningful connections with the local community.” 

This initiative is part of Imperial’s wider commitment to tackling digital inequality, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive in our increasingly online world. 

Jacquie Boyce, Edward Woods Community Centre Manager, shared: 
“Each year since this programme started in 2017, the quality and shared experiences have grown. The Imperial Community Engagement Team and Imperial Business School have helped make a big difference to our community - not just through knowledge sharing, but through meaningful intergenerational exchange. This year’s programme has been the best yet.” 

Tina Wood, Masbro Elders Project Manager, echoed that sentiment: 
“The psychosocial impact of these sessions can’t be overstated. It’s a pleasure to work with Imperial, and the ripples of this positive experience will continue to spread across the lives of both our elders and the students.” 

And the feedback from participants speaks volumes: 

“These sessions have been life-changing. We often have no one else to turn to for tech help,” said Azmina Ali. 

Another participant shared: “The student volunteers have been exceptional. I’ve learned so much about computers - I just wish we could have more sessions!” 

To celebrate the end of the programme, certificates were presented and stories shared, including one particularly sweet surprise.  Student volunteer Ayan Modi had taught a participant how to use ChatGPT, and together they used it to design a custom What The Tech?! cake. At the final celebration, the group was delighted to see a real-life version of the AI-generated cake. Inspired by their design, the participant had taken the image to a local bakery, who made it a reality: a thoughtful and creative way for her to celebrate her learning journey with the group. 

“I didn’t realise how much of an impact I was making,” said Ayan. “But seeing that cake come to life - made from a prompt I helped with - was such a special moment.” 

Wegahta Mekonnen, Community Engagement Assistant, reflected: 
“It was a joy to see residents’ faces light up with pride as they built confidence and overcame challenges. That sense of achievement really matters.” 

We’re seeing a real mindset shift. Students not only want to give back, but they’re also recognising how much they gain from it too. It’s about meaningful connections, sharing knowledge, and growing together. Farial Missi Senior Community Partnerships and Engagement Manager

Beyond the sessions, the programme has inspired a wider culture of volunteering among students. One of them is Mohammed Zaid Abid Dalla, Vice President of Societal Engagement for the Business School’s DSAC. Mentored by Farial Missi, Zaid has grown both personally and professionally through his involvement - from tech sessions to supporting events like W12 Together Christmas for local care leavers, and a Ramadan Iftar celebrating the diversity of White City. 

“Working with the local community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Imperial,” said Zaid. “The conversations were not only fun and engaging, but also full of life lessons. It’s made me realise how powerful knowledge exchange is - and how important it is for students to step beyond the campus and meaningfully connect with the communities around them.”

Motivated by these experiences, Zaid and other students are now exploring the creation of a dedicated volunteering association within the Imperial Business School to continue this momentum.

As What The Tech?! continues to grow, one thing is clear: while technology is the starting point, it’s the human connections that truly power this programme.