GRCC is now providing free refurbished laptops to digitally excluded people in Gloucestershire
GRCC is now working as a link between a Gloucestershire charity that gives new life to ex-corporate IT equipment, and digitally excluded people in the county who need a laptop but can’t afford one.
As part of GRCC’s DAISI Project, led by Daniel Gale, we are using our wide network of contacts with VCS organisations to provide refurbished laptops to people in hardship who need a computer to enable them to study, access benefits and services, or search for employment.
The high-quality used laptops are sourced from businesses and schools by the Cheltenham-based charity IT Schools Africa, which has extended its work from sending laptops to places such as Malawi and Zambia to now also working to reduce digital exclusion in deprived areas of Gloucestershire.
Photo above: Unloading refurbished laptops at GRCC. Left to right Simon Richardson (IT Schools Africa UK Operations Manager), Duncan McGaw (GRCC Trustee), Jenny Evans (IT Schools Africa Donations & Marketing Coordinator), Daniel Gale (GRCC Digital Lead). The used laptops were donated by Cirencester Friendly Society, refurbished by IT Schools Africa, and sent to new homes with digitally excluded people in Gloucestershire by GRCC.
“IT Schools Africa’s local digital inclusion partnership with GRCC is hugely important to us as we support our local Gloucestershire community,” said Jenny Evans of IT Schools Africa. “Increased digital access and skills is really changing people’s lives and enabling opportunities for life and work. Thank you to Cirencester Friendly Society and all our other IT donors for gifts of IT equipment that are the foundation of our work.”
Speaking for Cirencester Friendly, the Gloucestershire financial institution who had donated the batch of laptops shown in the photo above, IT Technician Nigel Firth commented: "IT Schools Africa have been a fantastic partner to work with, handling everything smoothly and professionally with the minimum of fuss. It’s a brilliant way to give back to the community, be sustainable and help the next generation.”
Getting a laptop can make a huge difference to someone in financial hardship who needs equipment to be able to work, study, or access benefits and services online. “Thank you for the laptop - we have passed it on to a single parent who is studying online in the evenings and previously had no access to online services. She told us it has opened up her world,” said Jacqui Gale from the Gloucester-based youth-work and mental health support charity Brendan’s Bridge.
GRCC’s partnership with IT Schools Africa has already helped six local projects with refurbished laptops, and we're planning to help many more. If your Gloucestershire charity or community organisation works with digitally excluded individuals who can’t afford IT equipment that they need, get in touch with us via digital@grcc.org.uk
[For a round-up of other digital support projects at GRCC see this news item.]