Bedford Borough Council has joined other organisations to call for donations of tech devices to help school children get online with home learning.
With schools closed to the majority of students, most children and young people are working from home.
While the government has allocated devices to schools in Bedford Borough, there is still a shortage, preventing many from working remotely.
The Council is appealing to individuals and businesses to donate any spare laptops, tablets or smartphones to help to get schools equipped and keep children learning effectively.
What can be donated?
- Laptops – These should be less than five years old and must still switch on. If possible, they should have a charger.
- iPads – Please ensure you log out of all associated accounts before donating, including iCloud. Reset to factory settings.
- Smart Phones – These can be taken and will help fund the refurbishments, but please log out of iCloud and reset to factory setting.
Where can they be donated?
In Bedford Borough, spare devices can be taken to Quotevine at the Foundry on St Peter’s Street on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am – 12pm.
This Saturday (6 February), devices can also be dropped off at the Pilgrim Centre car park (next to Pilgrims Prep School on Brickhill Drive) between 9.30am and 1pm.
Cllr James Valentine, Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services said: “I am eternally grateful to the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Bedford Blues Foundation, FACES, charities and religious groups for stepping up to fulfil this need. Please help if you can.”
All donations will be refurbished or recycled by Veritas Digital Service, to protect both you and the children, and they will also add any necessary packages and applications.
For more information and for other drop-off points across Bedfordshire visit bedfordshirelearninglink.com.
