Wiltshire Council has formed a partnership with Wiltshire Digital Drive, which will see the local authority donate laptops to help support the award-winning community interest company’s mission to bridge the digital divide and improve access to technology for those who need it most.

The agreement will see the council donate its end-of-life laptops to Wiltshire Digital Drive and they will securely wipe, refurbish and redistribute them. These laptops will be given to young people and adults who do not have a laptop or device.

Wiltshire Digital Drive works alongside schools, charities, organisations and council services across Wiltshire and the Southwest.

Earlier this year the government presented to Parliament its Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps, which includes mention of a national device donation scheme. The partnership between Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Digital Drive will help ensure this local project continues to thrive.

Cllr Mel Jacob. Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement, and Corporate Services said: “We are proud to be collaborating on this worthwhile project with Wiltshire Digital Drive, meaning people who really need it will continue to get access to digital technology and all the benefits that can bring. This project puts us at the forefront to achieve a nationally set aim of ensuring people are included in the increasingly digital world.

“Wiltshire Digital Drive has done some wonderful work throughout Wiltshire, bringing communities closer together,  and in joining forces we hope we can help them to do even more for years to come.”

Natalie Luckham, Director of Wiltshire Digital Drive, said: “We are delighted and grateful to Wiltshire Council and their IT department who share our commitment to address this important matter.

“Partnerships like this are really the best way that we can begin to address digital poverty in our communities and will ensure we have appropriate laptops to distribute to a wide range of people, whether that’s isolated adults, or young people who are not in education, employment or training.”

More information about Wiltshire Digital Drive can be found at https://www.wiltshiredigitaldrive.org/

More information about the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps can be found at Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps – GOV.UK