We live digital lives in a physical world.
Every search, stream, message and AI prompt depends on real infrastructure — data centres, networks, cables, computers, energy, cooling and people.
Yet most of us are taught how to use digital technology without ever being taught to understand the systems that make it possible.
ThreadPoint exists to change that.
We call it infrastructure literacy.
Imagination is Infrastructure
DELIVERED WITH AND FOR
WHY IT MATTERS
Most people use the internet every day. Very few understand how it works.
Data centres, cloud infrastructure, fibre networks and AI systems have a physical footprint, but the places, resources and people behind them are rarely visible in everyday digital life.
ThreadPoint helps children, families and communities explore these systems, understand how they connect to everyday life, and take part in wider conversations about digital infrastructure.
18%
of participants could identify where the cloud actually lives before a ThreadPoint session
89%
of participants could identify where the cloud actually lives after a ThreadPoint session
That shift
shows what can change when the physical infrastructure behind digital life becomes visible.
OUR PROGRAMMES
How ThreadPoint works
We deliver across schools, community settings and in partnership with funders, local authorities and infrastructure organisations.
FOR SCHOOLS
Schools and Educators
Story-led, hands-on workshops helping children aged 5 to 11 explore the physical infrastructure behind digital life. Curriculum-linked to Computing, STEM and digital literacy. Free sessions available through funded partnerships.
Currently delivering across Hackney, Camden and Islington with The Portal Trust
FOR COMMUNITIES
Libraries and Community
Free intergenerational sessions through libraries and established local partners. Open to everyone. No prior knowledge needed.
FUNDERS AND PARTNERS
Grant Bodies and Infrastructure Partners
Support infrastructure literacy through funded access to workshops, resources and place-based programmes for children, families and communities.
THE BOOK
Where the Internet Goes to Sleep
A children's book introducing young readers to data centres and the physical infrastructure behind digital life. Curriculum-aligned to KS1 and KS2 Computing. Written in OpenDyslexic font for neuroinclusive accessibility.
The story follows Laila, guided by Fluffbit the Cloud through the real buildings, people and systems behind the internet.
Original characters and story world created by ThreadPoint Founder Willow Williams. The book is the narrative anchor for all ThreadPoint programmes.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
The impact, in their words
The ThreadPoint workshop was wonderfully inclusive for children of different ages — engaging, imaginative, and genuinely educational. Parents shared overwhelmingly positive feedback. We wish to welcome ThreadPoint back for another workshop.
HACKNEY LIBRARIES
“Feedback from both students and staff was overwhelmingly positive. Our Year 6 teachers will complete the ThreadPoint Learning Lab follow-up activities with the children in September, and we hope to welcome ThreadPoint back in the future.”
MARGARET, HEADTEACHER - HOLMLEIGH PRIMARY SCHOOL,
“Before today, I thought the cloud was actually up there. Now we know it is real buildings with real people keeping it all running”.
YEAR 4 TEACHER - OLD OAK PRIMARY SCHOOL
RESEARCH AND WRITING
The ThreadPoint Institute for Infrastructure Literacy
The research and public inquiry arm of ThreadPoint. Willow Williams CF, MSc has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research infrastructure literacy internationally — with findings published through the Institute.
Ready to bring infrastructure
literacy to your community?
Whether you are a school, a library, a local authority or a funding partner, we would love to hear from you.
Collaborators + Funders
