SOC Communities Foundation CIC is the charitable arm of the School of Coding & AI.

Contact Us

About Us

SOC COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION

Empowering Lives. Restoring Hope. Creating Futures.

SOC Communities Foundation CIC is the charitable and community impact arm of the School of Coding & AI, dedicated to creating opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals to overcome barriers, realise their potential, and build brighter futures.

Founded in 2019, the Foundation was established with a clear purpose: to ensure that education, opportunity, and support are accessible to those who need them most. Funded through a commitment of one per cent of the School of Coding & AI’s revenue, alongside the voluntary contribution of staff expertise, time, and resources, the Foundation works to create lasting social impact across communities throughout the United Kingdom.

We work closely with schools, colleges, local authorities, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), women’s refuges, youth services, community organisations, and employers to provide practical pathways that help individuals overcome adversity and progress towards education, employment, and personal success.

Our Mission
From Vulnerability to
Empowerment
At SOC Communities Foundation CIC, our mission is to empower young individuals from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds to access Higher Education, develop life-changing skills, and build successful futures. We are committed to supporting young people who face significant barriers to progression, including those affected by poverty, social exclusion, violence, exploitation, grooming, abuse, or limited access to educational and employment opportunities. Through mentoring, digital skills training, employability programmes, life-skills development, confidence-building activities and higher education awareness initiatives, we help youngsters recognise their potential, overcome obstacles and pursue university study, professional careers and leadership opportunities. We believe that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Our mission is to bridge that gap by creating clear and accessible pathways into higher education, particularly in computing, artificial intelligence, business, health and social care and other high-growth sectors.
Our Vision
Creating the Next
Generation of Leaders
We envision a society where every young person, regardless of his/her background or circumstances, has the opportunity, support and confidence to pursue Higher Education and achieve their full potential. We aspire to create a future where youngsters who have experienced disadvantage, vulnerability or adversity are not defined by their past experiences but are empowered by their strengths, ambitions and aspirations. Our vision is to increase the number of individuals progressing into university education, professional careers and leadership roles, particularly in technology, business, healthcare and emerging industries. We seek to nurture a new generation of leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers who will inspire others, challenge inequality and contribute to more inclusive, resilient and thriving communities. By removing barriers to education and creating pathways to success, we are building a future where young people can learn, lead and flourish. Our goal is not simply to change lives today but to create lasting generational impact.
OUR LEADERSHIP

Sandeep Athwal

Director, SOC Communities Foundation CIC

Sandeep Athwal is a highly respected, compassionate and community-focused leader with more than twenty years of experience across human resources, education, wellbeing, mentoring and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Human Psychology, a Certificate in Counselling Psychology and is a Level 7 Qualified Apprenticeship Assessor. Throughout her professional career, she has developed extensive expertise in leadership, communication, organisational development, wellbeing support and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

Sandeep has always been passionate about creating environments where people feel valued, supported and inspired to succeed. Her professional approach combines empathy, integrity, strategic thinking and a deep commitment to social impact. She played a significant role in the early development and growth of the School of Coding & AI, working alongside her husband, Manny Athwal, to help transform the organisation from a small educational enterprise into an international education provider with campuses and learners across the world. Her dedication, guidance and belief in the organisation’s vision contributed to establishing the strong foundations that continue to drive its success today.

Alongside her role as a non-executive director at the School of Coding & AI, Sandeep now leads SOC Communities Foundation CIC, where she oversees programmes designed to improve access to education, higher education pathways, skills development, employability, entrepreneurship, wellbeing support and community engagement opportunities. Under her leadership, the Foundation works to remove barriers to success, empower disadvantaged individuals, strengthen communities and create meaningful opportunities for people from all backgrounds.

Sandeep remains deeply committed to inclusion, wellbeing, empowerment and social mobility. She believes that education has the power to transform lives and that every individual deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future, regardless of his/her starting point.

Our Values

Believe in Your
Potential

We believe every individual possesses unique strengths, talents and possibilities. We encourage people to recognise their value, develop confidence and pursue opportunities that help them achieve their goals.

Empathise with
Others

We approach every individual with compassion, understanding and respect. We listen without judgement and strive to create safe, inclusive environments where everyone feels heard, valued and supported.

Encourage Growth
and Success

We inspire people to challenge limitations, develop new skills and embrace personal growth. Through encouragement, mentoring and practical support, we help individuals unlock their potential and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Promote Positivity
Every Day

Positive environments create positive futures. We champion optimism, resilience, well-being and constructive thinking to help individuals overcome challenges and build confidence in their abilities.

Inspire Innovation
and Change

We believe education and innovation can transform lives. We continuously seek new ideas, creative solutions and impactful approaches that help individuals and communities thrive in an ever-changing world.

Commit to Excellence
in All You Do

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability and service. We are committed to delivering meaningful programmes and creating lasting impact for the people and communities we support.

Creating Lasting Impact Together

At SOC Communities Foundation CIC, we understand that meaningful change does not happen alone.

It happens when communities come together, when opportunities are created and when individuals are given the support they need to believe in themselves and their future. We remain committed to empowering lives, restoring hope, and creating opportunities for generations to come.

This version is fully aligned with the Foundation’s mission, the School of Coding & AI’s ethos, and the BE EPIC values while presenting Sandeep Athwal as a credible, compassionate, and inspirational leader.