District Council donates laptops to local community groups

So much of our day-to-day life is now done through some form of screen and digital device, from school work to applying for jobs, keeping up with friends and signing up for essential services and support. However, not everyone has access to a digital device and can, therefore, be left behind compared to their peers.

To reduce digital poverty in the district, the District Council donates digital devices such as laptops and iPads that are past corporate life but are still in excellent condition and fully functional to local groups as part of their digital inclusion scheme.

Groups that have received laptops include local schools, charities and food hubs. 

Councillor Lee Brazier, Lead Digital Champion at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “As part of our commitment to digital inclusivity across Newark and Sherwood, I am delighted to see groups within the district taking advantage of our digital inclusion scheme. Offering digital devices that are past corporate life but still fully workable supports our mission of reducing digital poverty, improving digital inclusivity and creating a better-connected district. As a council, we maintain a commitment to providing our communities with the means to be more digitally included. When our devices reach the end of their corporate life, we will carry on offering them out to community groups to support this work.”

One of the recipients of laptops includes Home-Start Newark, a non-profit organisation that helps families and young children with information and friendly and confidential support. Sara Grant, Manager of Home-Start Newark, said: “Huge thanks to Newark and Sherwood District Council for their generous donation of 14 reconditioned laptops. The laptops will be used in the provision of vital support services to local families in the Newark and Sherwood area. These laptops will enable us to develop and enhance our existing offer and provide families with better links to wider support services. We are incredibly grateful to Newark and Sherwood District Council for their ongoing support, which enables us to be there for families when they need us the most. Thank you!”

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, located in Boughton, also received ten laptops for an extra-curricular group. The headteacher, Elspeth Wilkins-Campbell, said: “The school are extremely grateful to NSDC for the provision of the laptop for the school. They have been set aside for the use of our extra-curricular club, Minecraft and Coding. They are also to be used to support our SEND provision during interventions. The children are very excited to access these sessions, and there is a wonderful uptake of opportunity.”

In addition, the District Council donated four laptops to Newark Women’s Aid, a local charity providing specialist services to support women who have experienced abuse from a partner or family member. A spokesperson said: Our sincere thanks to NSDC for their most generous donation of laptops for the families we support in our Refuge. They are a real luxury and something they would struggle to afford. It will enable our residents to access free online training, and they will be ideal for children’s homework and leisure. Many thanks from all at Newark Women’s Aid.”