Charity receives lifetime connection through Digital Infrastructure Project

Article date: 9 March 2026

Buzz Hub St Helens CPD currently works with between 160 and 170 adults and young people aged 18 and over who are on the autistic spectrum or have learning disabilities. The organisation operates several venues across the borough, including its Bickerstaffe Street base in St Helens town centre, which houses a print unit and media room featuring a fully equipped radio station - both of which rely heavily on reliable connectivity.

Following the completion of a brand-new 15km full fibre network across St Helens town centre - delivered by business internet and network specialists Elevate, with management and technical advisory support from Founds Group - Buzz Hub has become the first organisation to go live with the connection.

The new network - a £2.5m investment from St Helens Borough Council through Town Deal funding to support long-term economic growth in towns - aims to at supercharge local business growth by bringing hyper‑fast, ultra‑reliable business internet to a town centre undergoing once‑in‑a‑generation regeneration.

David Webster, Services Development Manager at Buzz Hub, said the connection is already transforming the way the organisation works.

"It's been a seamless process - the installation was very smooth. It gives us an opportunity to develop in different ways with our ever‑growing print unit and our radio station across St Helens and Wigan, for which the connection needs to be spot-on when we're doing live shows.

"The difficulties we have had with connectivity over the years have affected day‑to‑day operations - so it's having that consistency and that confidence that will make such a difference.

"We create opportunities to make the dreams of our service users come true. We're guided by the aspirations and needs of our members, and our service has been built on a 'why can't we, why can't I' attitude - and we can, we do. This connection donation will further strengthen that ethos and help us go from strength to strength."

During a recent visit to Buzz Hub's Bickerstaffe Street site, Councillor Keith Laird, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for People, Performance and IT, said:

"As a council, we are committed to ensuring that any major project includes social value to benefit residents and this is a wonderful example of that commitment., with a fabulous charity like Buzz Hub receiving free WIFI for life.

"This digital infrastructure is more than just putting wires in the ground; it's a catalyst for the wider regeneration of St Helens town centre and our ambitions to be the best digitally connected area in the Liverpool City Region."

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, added:

"It's great to see projects like this progress from concept to completion.

"Connectivity is a key part of our town centre regeneration - not just in helping people move around more easily through improvements like the new bus interchange, but also in supporting businesses and organisations to become better digitally connected. It's fantastic to see a local charity like Buzz Hub benefitting from this investment."

Andy Tatlock, Chief Revenue Officer at Elevate, said:

"Everyone at Elevate is so proud to see our £2.5m high speed fibre internet network project in partnership with St Helens Borough Council completed and the network officially going live. The absolute highlight for us is seeing our first live connection go to The Buzz Hub charity, who will receive a lifetime connection as part of our social value investment. It's a brilliant milestone that shows the real-world impact this network will bring to the community and to businesses across St Helens."

Hayley O'Brien, Project Manager at Founds Group, said: "It's been very rewarding to support the delivery of this project from start to finish, and I'm so proud to see it already making a real difference. Watching Buzz Hub become the first organisation to benefit, and knowing they'll have this connection for life, really brings home the impact of this work.

"This is exactly the kind of positive, long-term impact we set out to achieve through the Digital Infrastructure Project, and highlights what collaborative working and true partnership can deliver."

 To find out more about the St Helens Digital Infrastructure Project, visit: https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/9967/Town-Deal-Projects-Digital-Infrastructure