Digitober Stories: Building a Fairer Digital Future Through Partnerships With Let’s Get Digital
Manchester City Council’s Digital Inclusion team supports residents across Manchester to take their first steps into the digital world..
From discovering a new job opportunity, to supporting your child at school, and even staying in touch with family – everyday life is increasingly moving online. Without the skills, devices and connectivity to safely access the Internet, millions of people across the UK risk being left behind by advances in technology.
Over 2.8 million people in the UK currently have no access to the Internet at all. Even where residents have the skills, confidence and motivation to get online, difficulties accessing suitable devices can present significant barriers to the digital world. Without a laptop or smartphone, communicating with loved ones discovering new opportunities for learning and entertainment, and connecting with vital services can all become challenges to overcome.
For communities already grappling with social and economic inequalities, limited access to suitable devices can exacerbate existing disparities – restricting opportunity, cutting off vital support, and holding residents back from realising their full potential.
We believe that Manchester’s digital future includes everybody in our city. Our Digital Inclusion team is dedicated to helping more people in our city to access the benefits of the online world. Through a wide programme of support, they empower residents and organisations to gain the skills, knowledge and resources to fully participate in digital society.
This vital work could not be delivered in isolation.
Our Digital inclusion team is proud to work collaboratively incredible organisations, businesses and VCSEs across the city to achieve our ambition of making Manchester more digitally equal. Over the last few years, we’ve supported hundreds of residents to access free and low-cost devices thanks to our partnership with Community Computers – a not-for-profit initiative transforming donated IT equipment into affordable, fully licensed devices.
Operated by the charity Renewal North West, Community Computers provides high-quality free and subsidised devices to those most in need, helping more residents across the city to take advantage of the many opportunities of digital access. Whether it’s through supporting community organisations to offer online access and digital skills training, or equipping individuals with the technology needed to build independence, Community Computers offers a lifeline for communities struggling with the challenges of digital exclusion. Working closely with local authorities across Greater Manchester, their work plays a vital role in helping to close Manchester’s digital divide and improving quality of life for people across the city.
By refurbishing ex-business devices, Community Computers also helps to reduce environmental harm. When useful electronics are relegated to landfill, harmful substances can leach into the environment and precious resources such as gold, silver and platinum risk being lost forever. Recycling initiatives help ensure that laptops, tablets and computers are given a second lease of life in the hands of those that need them most. Alongside protecting the planet, Community Computers ensures that good-quality devices are not wasted, but go on to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Privacy and data security concerns can often discourage businesses considering device donation. To mitigate potential barriers, Community Computers ensures all devices are professionally wiped with industry standard degaussing and data erasure technologies before redistribution. By centring data security at all stages of the refurbishment process, Community Computers hopes to build trust and confidence to inspire more businesses to contribute to the circular economy.
Our ongoing partnership with Community Computers has enabled our Digital Inclusion team to offer practical support to communities facing digital exclusion, and organisations working tirelessly to overcome inequalities in access to technology. Devices refurbished by Community Computers and distributed by our Digital Inclusion team have already made a life-changing impact on people experiencing digital poverty – helping residents across the city to take their first steps into digital society.
We can’t close the digital divide alone. Strong partnerships with pioneering organisations like Community Computers are essential to shaping a fairer digital future for Manchester. By working together, we can amplify our impact to create real change and make sure that everyone benefits equally from the opportunities of the online world.
Watch the video below to learn more about Community Computers’ inspiring work, or explore their website to discover how you can get involved!
