A local crisis response project launched in January this year raised over £11,000 in laptop donations, providing 65 devices to schools and charities in the region. Laptops for Kids, delivered as a partner project between Lancaster City Council, ICT Reverse and Lancaster CVS has been hailed a huge success.
The January lockdown once again highlighted challenges around the Digital Divide, with many children and elderly having no means of contact with schools, friends or family. Between January and March, the project encouraged businesses in the district to donate their old IT equipment to be re-distributed to local schools and charities.
Devices helped support remote learning for school children, and community projects including helping older people stay in touch with family whilst shielding.
Over 65 devices were donated by local businesses. Additionally, this also gave new life to kit which may otherwise have been thrown away, helping the environment.
Throughout Covid the district has seen organisations move heaven and earth to help others, supported by an army of volunteers giving their time for free. Project partner ICT Reverse gave their time, expertise and software free of charge to wipe devices to industry standard, reassuring business donors that data was safely removed on any donated equipment.
Project Co-ordinator Claire Louise Chapman says
“What’s important now is that we build on the time and energy given over the past few months to create a long-term programme for the district, where businesses can donate equipment with the confidence that this will be safely distributed to those most in need in our local communities.”
Anyone interested in supporting the ongoing initiative can get involved, either by donating devices, volunteering technical time to support digital skills development, or by contributing to the Digital Inclusion Fund TotalGiving™ - Digital Inclusion Fund - Bay Foundation - Fundraising Page set up to fund projects moving forward. If more information contact ClaireLouise@tsvb.co.uk


Lancaster youth charity launches 10 Challenges campaign
£30k campaign launched for new Lancaster community farm
Carnforth chiropodist honours her late husband with clinic fundraiser
Lancaster City Council agrees 2.99 per cent rise in Council tax share
Lancashire Police’s share of Council tax to rise by 5.4 per cent
Guys Thatched Hamlet closes suddenly after 46 years
Teenager spared jail for causing death of newborn child in Morecambe
Morecambe Town Council agrees budget and 2.46 per cent rise in Council tax share
Builders of new Lancaster housing development offer £2k cash pot to community groups
Lancaster centre welcomes mayor for opening of new community kitchen
Lancaster shop to close as high street gaming chain faces administration
Jim Bentley returns for second spell as Morecambe FC manager
Ashvir Singh Johal’s reign as Morecambe manager comes to an end
Lancaster writer's ghost story of Morecambe to be voiced by acting legend on Radio 4
Change of name announced for popular Morecambe bar
Opening announced for new Morecambe bistro inside former post office
Health watchdog report shows improvements to services at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
LISTEN: How Leo's Gym is making a difference in memory of young Morecambe boxer
LISTEN: Lancaster set to celebrate Chinese New Year
Lancaster’s Vue Cinema under new ownership

