The Covid 19 Lockdown has had a largely unseen impact on our local communities. Children are having to be educated from home yet many have no access to the digital devices required to connect to online learning.
Disadvantaged families are struggling to provide the basic resources for their children to keep a pace with their peers and this is causing a Digital Divide.
Two local organisations, Blackburn Youth Zone and Secret Santa CIC have each announced campaigns to collect and distribute old laptops and tablets to any family that needs them in a bid to stop this inequality.
Blackburn based IT company Nybble.co.uk has stepped in to assist both campaigns with an offer to act as a drop off point for the devices but with the added ability to refurbish each device to make sure that they are ready to use as soon as they are distributed to their new homes.
Ram Gupta, MD of Nybble.co.uk commented: "Technology has a huge power for good and transforms learning. But without access to a laptop or tablet our local children will be left behind. We cannot sit back and watch this happen."
Mel Thomas from Blackburn Youth Zone said: "During this period we need to ensure young people have the right equipment and support, it is important with remote learning taking place from schools and digital sessions from the Youth Zone that it has become a necessity to bridge the gap. We really appreciate the support from our Patron, Nybble and the local business community, ensuring there is support for young people, whatever it takes."
Phil Boulding of Secret Santa commented: "We have worked extremely hard to support the children of Blackburn with Darwen so far we have received over 40 devices which I have been updating and preparing myself. The offer from Nybble will provide a huge level of assistance."
We all have older or redundant devices in our offices and homes. These can be used to create a real difference in our communities.
If you can help or need more information please contact Darren Grantham [email protected] or call on 07939 515330