Families in need receive laptops from Eastlight

Thirty families will receive laptops to help children and young people study at home, following a donation by Eastlight Community Homes.

Members of Eastlight’s ICT Team delivered the devices to Braintree District Council’s office on Wednesday, 24 February. The office is a collection point for Essex County Council’s ‘Closing the Digital Divide’ scheme.

So far, more than 3,000 devices have been distributed to schools across Essex, before being given to families who need them.

The drive follows concerns that children and young people who cannot access a laptop at home face falling behind in their education.

Perri Knott, ICT Services Manager at Eastlight, said: “Eastlight is committed to supporting our communities through the pandemic and we hope many children will benefit from this donation.”

The laptops, which are no longer used by Eastlight staff, will be cleaned and all data and programmes removed securely.

Essex County Council continues to appeal to businesses, residents and local councils to donate to the scheme. Email: TSLaptop.Donations@essex.gov.uk to find out more.