CityFibre donates IT kit

CityFibre the UK's third national digital infrastructure platform has partnered with Donate Digital and Better ConNEcted to help charities across the North East access essential online services and tackle digitally exclusion.

With a reported 15% of North East people classed as digitally excluded, the region has the greatest challenge in the UK in terms of access to relevant equipment, affordability of connectivity and lack of essential online skills.

The real impact of this has been brought into the spotlight during COVID19 pandemic with thousands of pupils across the region being supported through the Laptops for Kids programme and many other National schemes.

However, it’s not just the region’s children who are suffering through digital exclusion but thousands of other people, desperate to stay in touch with loved ones, access vital services or secure jobs or financial support.

CityFibre has partnered with Donate Digital and regional campaign Better ConNEcted, by agreeing to donate equipment on a regular basis through the year and cover the costs of recycling and distribution.The first batch of 20 devices are on their way to 4 organisations across the region.

Age UK North Tyneside, will use their devices to help train the older generation, helping to allay fears & build confidence in going online. Yvonne Probert, Head of Charity Services, Age UK North Tyneside said “This pandemic has seen many older people become more isolated as they follow the government advice to stay home. However as many services have gone digital and online there are some people who are being left behind as they don’t have the IT kit. This generous donation will enable us to get an older person online to help them access the digital world”.

Jason Legget, City Manager for CityFibre said, “Digital Exclusion is such a major challenge for people in our region and CityFibre’s ambition is to provide the best full fibre connectivity for everyone, so helping groups like Success4All and Age UK with donations of equipment to get them online now is essential. I would very much encourage other businesses across the region to partner with Donate Digital, by giving old desktops or laptops to be recycled and donating to the cause to cover the costs of recycling and distribution.”