The Isle of Wight Council has donated 170 decommissioned laptops to the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), which is distributing devices to children in need across the Island to boost digital inclusion.
The initiative was launched earlier this year to reduce digital exclusion on the Island, with the Isle of Wight council reaching out to the DPA to donate these devices. The campaign, led by the DPA, encourages local businesses to donate unused laptops and tablets to support those without access to digital devices.
On the Isle of Wight, over 6,600 houses face educational deprivation, while more than 3,500 residents face employment challenges, heightening the gap in digital access.
Elizabeth Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said:
“We are pleased to be partnering with the Isle of Wight Council. We want to ensure that we get these devices in the hands of children and families who need them. Once the laptops we have received have been processed, our team will set up a very simple application and verification process.”
Roger Brown, Strategic Manager ICT & Digital Services, said:
“This is an excellent initiative that puts old council devices, that are no longer fit for work purposes in the hands of local children in need. While these devices are older, we ensured they are in good working order so children can have access to the digital world, helping them grow and learn. We are really proud and happy to support this amazing initiative.”
The laptop availability is accessible to the public online, through traditional media and local networks. The Digital Poverty Alliance team also connects with local schools and charities and provides flyers and paper applications with the aim of reaching as many families as possible, especially those who do not have access to get online.
Information on the Digital Poverty Alliance’s donation schemes can be found at https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/donate-devices/.
How very generous of the council to donate the lap tops… 170 of them ! !
back to the people… when we all paid for them in the 1st place ! !
What they mean is that the council have bought 170 new laptops at goodness what cost. Surely there’s nothing so complex that basic computers can’t manage..The higher spec ones are needed for games. If they are fit for students they must be fit for office work. Why laptops, desktops work ok.
Quite agree Jo. I use my Acer laptop for a wide range of sometimes complex publishing activites. I bought it twelve years ago and have it updated at a modest cost when necessary. All very touchy- feely to donate our computers to the (give me strength) Digital Poverty Alliance and treat themselves to new kit, but nobody asked me or any other Council taxpayer. Selling them off could have raised a nice few thousand pounds, but of course it ain’t their money. Wonder what would have happened had it been their money and not ours. I would have bought one, but I suppose I can nip down to a dodgy pub in Ryde or Sandown and pick one up for a few quid from the parent of a digitally-povery- stricken child recipient.
Yet when I asked if there was such an option so I could study they couldn’t help. Hmmmn.