🎯 Blackpool Digital Inclusion Fund Application

Lucy AI: Digital skills for migrants & refugees

Lucy AI — Blackpool Digital Inclusion Fund Application

A Blackpool-based initiative for digital inclusion and ESOL

Applicant: Guestservices International LTDGrant Requested: £23,000Duration: 12 months

1. Executive Summary

Lucy is an AI-powered, multilingual, multilevel learning platform delivering 24/7 education to migrants, refugees and low-digital-skill residents in Blackpool. This proposal requests £23,000 to launch three integrated learning pathways: Digital Skills Foundations, English for Employment, and Settlement & Citizenship Preparation.

Target outcomes over 12 months:

  • • 100+ learners enrolled (40% women, 30% over 45, 50% low digital baseline)
  • • 75% course completion rate
  • • 60% language progress (CEFR level advancement)
  • • 40% employment or further training placement within 3 months

2. Evidence of Need

  • ✗28% of Blackpool adults lack basic digital skills (vs. 17% UK average)
  • ✗ESOL waiting lists: 4–8 weeks for council classes; demand far exceeds supply
  • ✗Post-COVID isolation: Migrant communities face language barriers + digital exclusion
  • ✗Employment barrier: 40% of unemployed migrants cite English or digital skills gaps
  • ✗Existing gap: No 24/7, culturally-adapted AI learning for this cohort in Blackpool

3. The Solution: Three Integrated Pathways

Pathway 1: Digital Skills Foundations (8 weeks)

Email basics, web browsing, gov.uk services, job search platforms, online safety. Delivered via mobile-first Lucy interface; zero app download required.

Pathway 2: English for Employment (12 weeks)

CEFR A1–B1 progression; focus on interview practice, workplace communication, CV writing. Real-time pronunciation feedback using native speaker AI voice.

Pathway 3: Settlement & Citizenship Preparation (12 weeks)

Life in UK Test prep, NHS navigation, employment rights, housing, benefits guidance. Plain-English explanations aligned to official gov.uk resources.

4. Expected Outcomes — 12 Months

100+

Learners enrolled

40% women · 30% over 45 · 50% low digital baseline

75%

Completion rate

Benchmark: 65% for adult ESOL in England

60%

CEFR level progression

A1→A2, A2→B1, etc.

40%

Employment / training

Within 3 months of completion

Tracked via follow-up survey at 3, 6, and 12 months post-completion.

5. Detailed Budget — £23,000 over 12 months

Cost CategoryDetailAmount
Lucy Platform & HostingPlatform licence & AI infrastructure: £5,500 · Hosting, CDN & technical support: £2,500£8,000
Staff (0.5 FTE Coordinator)Learner support, progress tracking, external stakeholder liaison£9,000
Outreach & SupportMarketing & recruitment: £1,500 · Device/internet access support: £2,000 · Welcome packs: £500£4,000
Evaluation & ReportingOutcome evaluation, data analysis, impact report£2,000
TOTAL£23,000

6. Sustainability & Scalability

Year 1 (Funded)

  • • Establish baseline metrics and learner satisfaction benchmarks
  • • Build referral partnerships with Blackpool Council, DWP, and migrant organisations

Year 2+ (Self-sustaining)

  • • Subscription revenue + further grant funding blend
  • • Council commissioning as an ESOL delivery partner (ASF pathway)
  • • Corporate CSR partnerships with local employers

7. Risk Mitigation

RiskMitigation
Low digital literacy among target cohortZero-app design (web only); free device lending programme; 1-on-1 digital coaching
Language barrier in instructionsLucy provides interface in 15+ languages; multilingual support coordinator
Low completion ratesGamification, daily streaks, personalised learning paths; weekly check-ins

8. Measuring Success

KPI 1 — Completion Rate: Target 75% (measured: completed 80% of pathway lessons)

KPI 2 — Language Progress: 60% achieve CEFR level progression

KPI 3 — Employment Outcome: 40% in job/training within 3 months of completion

Data collection: Real-time in the Lucy platform + external 3-month employment survey

Applying Organisation

Guestservices International LTD

Contact: davidalester2022@gmail.com

Alt: David@empower-creative.com

For questions or to arrange a demo of the Beta version, please contact us via email above.

Date: 10/26/2026

Reference: LUCY-BPL-DIF-2026-03-25

Lucy AI — 24/7 Multilingual Learning Platform