Full fibre goes full throttle across St Helens, driving digital inclusion and directly supporting social value
Elevate®, the leading provider of full fibre business internet and networks, is pleased to report substantial progress in the roll out of St Helens' new full fibre network. The new network will significantly increase internet speeds and reliability for residents and businesses across the town centre; a key part of St Helens Borough Council's Digital Infrastructure Project.
Article date: 22 October 2025
The Digital Infrastructure Project, funded by St Helens Town Deal, is being delivered in partnership with infrastructure and programme delivery experts, the Founds Group (previously CJ Founds Associates) and digital connectivity specialists Elevate®. Within just six months of the contract award, 100% of the subducting has been installed, totalling 4,874 metres. Nearly all underground pipes are installed, over 99% of the new track has now been laid and Elevate has already started running and connecting cables.
Councillor Keith Laird, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for People, Performance and IT, said: "We're really pleased with the rapid progress that's been made, and the reception from businesses and residents across the town centre who recognise the social and economic benefits this project will deliver. The new full fibre network is essential digital infrastructure which will help to make us one of the most digitally connected towns in the region."
"We've also been working with Elevate to absolutely maximise the social value of this project, providing new opportunities and better connections for hundreds of people across the borough."
Building social value across the borough
From supporting innovative online learning opportunities for young people, to connecting adults with additional needs to free, best-in-class internet for life, Elevate has been working proactively with local institutions and community interest companies to extend the impact of the project.
Thrive: A £30,000 contribution to Thrive will fund targeted services for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) youth, including career guidance, employer support and partnerships with educational institutions.
David Black, Executive Lead at Thrive, said: "We're passionate about helping young people build confidence and discover their future pathways. Our careers programme connects them with inclusive employers and provides the practical skills and opportunities they need to succeed."
"We're currently in the process of reaching out to and engaging with young people across St Helens, with a view to identifying and connecting them with the educational institutions and employers best suited to their needs and aspirations."
Tute: To support education across St Helens, Elevate donated £10,000 to St Helens Borough Council to cover the cost of 800 lessons through the Tute 'Virtual School' program. These lessons are available for students across all key stages, providing valuable online learning opportunities that can help enhance academic achievement and support remote education needs.
Vanessa Leach, Managing Director at Tute said: "Tute's vision is to create an education system that enables any child, anywhere, to achieve their potential. Through this social value donation to St Helens' Outreach and Education Welfare Service, we're helping to improve outcomes for children and young people who are most in need of support.
"Students who might otherwise be unable to access education are now learning with qualified teachers in a safe, structured online environment, rebuilding confidence, and working towards qualifications that may not have been possible without this support.
"At a time when local authorities are under significant financial pressure, this donation has enabled an immediate and tangible impact, ensuring young people in St Helens are not denied education because of funding constraints."
Community Connection: Buzz Hub at Nuttall House
As part of our social value commitment to supporting older, disabled and vulnerable people and promoting digital inclusion, Elevate is providing a free, lifetime 1Gbps internet connection to the St Helens Coalition of Disabled People (Buzz Hub), based at Nuttall House.
This reliable, hyperfast fibre connection will be available to the charity's staff, volunteers, and service users, helping them stay connected, powering the St Helens Buzz Radio station and facilitating card payments.
Get online and get involved
October 20-26th is National Get Online week, the UK's largest digital inclusion campaign. Get Online Week aims to help people discover the benefits of getting online and build confidence in using the internet. All fantastic and necessary steps to building digital inclusion. If you're based in St Helens Borough and could benefit from the programmes Tute and Thrive are putting in place, please do reach out to the organisations.