Kao Data is partnering with Harlow-based early intervention charity Changing Lives Community Services, which provides support to vulnerable children through its sporting and community engagement programmes.

Since 2018, Changing Lives has provided social, sporting and work experiences to provide young people with pathways towards a positive future.

Kao Data aims to provide local support, funding, and advocacy through its work with Changing Lives, and drive awareness of the role of data centres in young people’s lives, as well as offering a roadmap for pursuing careers in tech.

The partnership will be a component of Kao Data’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework, providing local support in the Harlow community, alongside funding and advocacy for a many of Changing Lives’ charity programmes.

Kao has been working with Changing Lives since 2022, when Kao provided funding to help towards the replacement of one of the charity’s minibuses when it suffered a theft and arson attack.

“At Kao Data, we’re strong advocates for the work of Changing Lives, and the values they’re championing within our local Harlow community,” said Adam Nethersole, VP, Kao Data.

“We’re proud to be supporting them with both funding and advocacy to help raise awareness of their vital prevention and intervention programmes, and to help provide an important support function for vulnerable children and refugees at a grass roots level.”

Ben Doyle, Co-Director, Changing Lives, added, “The strength and support of our partners in our local community is critical to the success of our charity programs, and we’re delighted to be working with Kao Data.

“Having a local advocate of their standing is incredibly rewarding and will help us continue our work in Harlow and our new hub in Colchester, and through our international projects in Ghana.”

Kao has pledged to increase its support for Changing Lives is doing, providing funding and advocacy on a long-term basis.