With everything moving online we understand that there is a digital divide. Accessing good quality internet, paying for data and accessing devices can be a struggle.
We have used the below list from City & Guilds
Government schemes:
- Get Help With Tech devices
The Department for Education (DfE) is providing laptops and tablets to schools to help children and families access remote education during coronavirus (COVID-19). - Get Help With Tech mobile data
This scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. - Get Help With Tech internet access
Schools, trusts and local authorities can help disadvantaged children get online using free mobile data increases or 4G wireless routers provided by the Department for Education.
National Grid for Learning
“Bridge the Divide” is a huge national procurement, led by LGfL, for up to 2 million Chromebooks and WinBooks at low prices. The offer is open to all School, LAs and other education establishments.
Tech For UK
Schools that would like to request hardware can order here. Want to donate laptops, tablets or funds to get laptops to lockdown kids, visit Teach For UK where you will be signposted to the lots of initiatives and schools in need near you.
ADISA – Digital Access For All
The Learning Foundation has launched the ‘Digital Access for All’ initiative which has the objective of providing refurbished equipment to help bridge the digital divide.
Every Child Online
Every Child Online’s goal is to help close this educational gap and ensure all our children have the correct equipment to learn from home. We need the support of UK companies and individuals, supporting our funding efforts and donating your unused equipment will have a tremendous impact on the education of our children.
The Restart Project
A list of computer reuse projects across the United Kingdom that accept individual donations, for reuse in the local community. The local dimension is important, as it ensures that laptops will be delivered fit-for-purpose.
Laptops for kids
Laptops for Kids is a charitable organisation that facilitates the donation, secure erasure and distribution of used digital devices, enabling children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have access to the technology they need to participate in remote learning.
Green Machine – Tech Amnesty
Green Machine Computers has been supporting charities and SME’s for years with low to no cost computer solutions through recycling old tech. Currently have been donating all of the equipment they have to support local schools and those in need.
Community Calling – Hubbub
Post your old phone for free. It gets data wiped, cleaned and delivered to someone in need. The individual also gets free data and digital skills training. So far, 3000 smartphones have been rehomed but with 28 million more going unused in people’s homes, your help is needed to reach a target of 10,000.
O2 zero rating for support websites during Covid-19
O2 customers don’t have to use any of their network data when browsing a range of support, health and advice websites on their O2-enabled devices.
Local initiatives:
Saracens Sport Foundation
In collaboration with several corporate partners, the Saracens Foundation will be delivering unused and professionally wiped laptops and tablets to children and young people across North London and Hertfordshire through schools, pupil referral units and community groups in order to support and improve the quality of their virtual learning experience.
Birmingham Education Partnership
We are working with Schools and the Early Help Hubs across Birmingham to support families that are most in need of a digital support in their home. Each donated device will be sent to our partners at Link2ICT to be renewed and repurposed ready to support a family in Birmingham.
Wiltshire Digital Drive
Wiltshire Digital Drive is a Community Interest Company (CIC) set up to refurbish and recycle donated laptops to gift back to the community, enabling education in Wiltshire and bridging the digital divide.
DigiLocal (Bristol region)
DigiLocal is working with a number of partners across the Bristol region to provide re-conditioned laptops for vulnerable families. If you have a laptop that is no longer needed for your purposes, there may be a family that would greatly value it for online schooling, accessing social support, etc.
Laptops 2 Kids Herefordshire
We recognise that you are all working hard to provide your families and children with as many devices as you are able to from your own resources and those provided from the Department for Education. However we also recognise that in the current circumstances this may not be enough. We want to help top up your current pool of devices to help fill that gap.
Tech-takeback (Brighton & Hove)
A collection, refurbish and re-use initiative for electrical waste including phones, tablets, laptops and desktops. All data-bearing items will be completely erased through a certified, secure data-erasure process to give you peace of mind.
