Children in Tendring getting IT kit thanks to council scheme
Devices are being sold on, with the money made used to buy equipment for youngsters
Old laptops and smart devices are being converted into tech for children to use for home learning in Tendring.
Tendring District Council (TDC) is supporting Essex County Council’s scheme to turn unwanted IT equipment into kit for pupils to complete school work on during the coronavirus lockdown.
Around 100 devices are being donated by the district council, with the equipment being replaced as part of a roll-out of new IT for both TDC officers and councillors.
Data on the devices will be securely destroyed before they are sold on second-hand, with the money made used to buy IT equipment for children.
Although the county council scheme is running across Essex, TDC has secured a deal that the money generated from its old devices will directly fund new IT for children in Tendring.
Carlo Guglielmi, TDC cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, said he was pleased the old IT would still be useful:
"I am glad that even as our old kit is reconditioned and finds a new life for whoever buys it, it is also supporting new IT for children who may need help doing home learning in Tendring.
"We know it can be tough for families to access home learning; even those with a family computer may struggle if they have more than one child, or if parents also need devices to work from home.
"Our donation will bolster the Essex County Council and government programmes to ensure no child is left behind during the latest lockdown."
Essex County Council’s Close the Digital Divide programme was launched in autumn 2020.
By the end of this week, around 3,000 devices will have been distributed to schools across the county to go to families in need.
While secondary schools have been the priority, the scheme is also working with primary schools, especially in Tendring.
Businesses can also donate unwanted laptops to the scheme, with the county council’s partners doing the data wiping and cleaning.
Individuals cannot yet take part, but it is hoped this will be expanded in the near future.
To donate or find out more email TSLaptop.Donations@essex.gov.uk .