The Conservative-led Essex County Council (ECC) has donated 160 laptops to colleges across the county with an additional 200 soon to be distributed.
The 160 laptops, which include unused ECC stock and donations, will be given to young people who do not have access to technology.
The further 200 laptops have been purchased from the proceeds of parts of devices that have been donated.
With many places of education opting for a more blended learning offer and homework increasingly becoming an online activity, this will enable these young people to access their school or college work at home.
This latest achievement is part of ECC’s and EOL IT Services’ wider scheme which was launched last month, which sees old unused devices reconditioned and then distributed to families across Essex.
Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Louise McKinlay said: “I am delighted with our progress in providing devices for those young people who do not have access to technology.
“All children and young people should have the tools to give them the best start in life and bridging the technology gap is so important in helping them to achieve their potential.
“At ECC we want to continue to do all we can to help children succeed. For those living without access to devices or the internet can be extremely challenging.
“ECC and its staff have already donated 500 of their old devices so far and now we have distributed160 laptops to colleges across the county and have another 200 in the pipeline ready to be distributed.
“Last month we asked for donations from businesses and residents, thank you to those that have already donated.
“With Libraries currently closed, you won’t be able to donate at these locations at present, but we would ask that if you have an old or unused laptop device gathering dust or hidden away somewhere, please earmark it for our scheme, it will make a real difference.”
For questions relating to donating please email [email protected]
EOL It Services is the UK’s most accredited provider of IT Asset Disposal (ITAD), Lifecycle Services and Data Destruction.
If anyone has a laptop to donate, they are asked to keep it safe until libraries have reopened. In the meantime, should anyone, as part of essential travel, be near to any of the below locations, laptops can also be donated to main ECC buildings listed below.
ECC is also asking businesses to donate any unused laptops. If businesses have under 50 they can donate to any of our main buildings. If they have over 50 to donate then collection will be arranged. Businesses wishing to donate should email [email protected]
