Oliver, working city wide, details some of their young people’s experiences with the scheme.

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• Oliver claims that a lot of where their young people’s digital exclusion comes from a lack of affordability of digital devices, and it can filter down to different aspects of their lives.

• “Some of my young people move accommodation a lot and have chaotic lives”, Oliver says. Due to the instability some of them face in relation to housing, sometimes it’s not possible to be able to get Wi-Fi packages. It can also exacerbate homelessness crisis for young people as they “really need to be able to be contacted to complete thorough assessments”.

• They may also lose income if they are on universal credit as they may be sanctioned if they miss meetings because they do not have a device. It can also hinder their access to training and employment as Oliver says;

“Young people who do not have access to laptops and devices are unable to access employment and training opportunities.” 

• Education opportunities are similar as Oliver noted that in their experience, young people who are not digitally connected are less likely to succeed in education. Their health and well-being can be under threat as some young people who are in hospital do not have device meaning they may be even more isolated.

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with, especially in terms of access to employment, training or other educational opportunities?

• This scheme has been fantastic for the young people that I support. A girl comes to mind who I support who was digitally excluded and unable to write an application and take part in an NHS employability program initially. I reached out to you guys, and you provided a laptop which I gave to her so she could complete the required application forms. This person was previously not in education or employment. Myself and Careers Connect supported her with the application and she was successful in being accepted on a Nursing assistant traineeship where she’s going from strength to strength working with the NHS.

• Some of the asylum seekers that I work with, we’re unable to do the college work, and you guys stepped in and provided laptops which improve their grades and engagement with college you have also provided. You have also provided forms smart phones for individuals and data, meaning they were able to bid on Manchester move to obtain that own properties and stay connected to support services.

   “The phones and data are a life line for young people”

Cara working in Oldham Rochdale and Bury, details some of their young people’s experiences with the scheme.                                                                         

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• Limited finances – many young people cannot afford smart phone, limits accessing the internet for jobs work and training, care leavers are expected to do far more than the average teenager, managing their own home bills and budget, access to the internet is vital for this, however many young people are at a disadvantage and not having access to the internet often causes financial hardship. The smart phones have been vital in ensuring young people are able to take control of their lives, appointments, bills, finances, job searching and health.

• No internet in semi-independent placements – many SI providers do not provide internet in semi-independent homes for 16 -18-year-olds, however under 18's cannot get Wi-Fi themselves. Dongle packages have been vital in reducing social isolation for these young people.

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with? Can you give examples?

• The young person who has never had a smart phone now has one, is able to access their Universal Credit search for work and training stay in touch with support network and family. Reducing isolation and financial hardship. This scheme has been a godsend for our young people, I cannot speak enough about how needed it was and how valued it is.

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

• Yes - young people have applied for work and training, have completed online portfolios as part of their AQA training programmes.

“It is brilliant, please, please, please keep it going!”

Julie, working in the Crumpsall area, details some of their young people’s experiences in the scheme.

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• My young people struggle with access to the internet, not having a digital device, phone, or Laptop. This impacts their daily life as if they need to keep in touch with professionals, they cannot do this without a mobile phone and if they do not have access to the internet, they cannot access their emails which could be vitally important especially if they have children going through child protection procedures.

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with? Can you give examples?

• I have applied for laptops and dongles for my young people, this has helped then to gain work by being able to complete their CV join agencies and apply for employment. They have also been able to keep in touch with professionals who are supporting them, and they keep a log of appointments on their calendars, so they do not miss vital appointments they need to attend.

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

• Yes, one of my young people was able to complete her CV put it online, join an employment agency and secured part time employment within 6 weeks of receiving her laptop.

“This scheme is a lifeline for a lot of young people, it enhances their lives and means they can stay up to date digitally. They can keep in touch with professionals which can be vital for their well-being, they can make doctors’ appointments and keep a log of important appointments on their calendars.”

Lisa, working in the Crumpsall area, details some of their young people’s experiences in the scheme        

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• Some placements do not have internet points, which makes it difficult. The free sim with data helps. Most are in study, and this affects them.

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

• Yes. One of my young people is currently studying to go to university and achieve his dreams of becoming an architect.

“It allows disadvantaged care leavers more scope to fit in with today’s society, given the peer pressure to have the best”

A Personal Advisor working in the Crumpsall area, details some of their young people’s experiences in the scheme

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• The young people I work with struggle with bills, therefore, they can also struggle to be able to afford internet, computers, and phones.

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with? Can you give examples? 

• It has greatly benefitted my young people, as they have been able to access the internet for job offers, applications etc. and also, they can use the scheme for their college or university work.

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

• Yes, one of my young people was able to complete her CV put it online, join an employment agency and secured part time employment within 6 weeks of receiving her laptop.

“This scheme is a lifeline for a lot of young people, it enhances their lives and means they can stay up to date digitally”

Rachel, working in Manchester, details some of their young people’s experiences in the scheme

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• Access to data, wi-fi and lack of a tablet/laptop, this stops them accessing benefits and job searches and keeping in touch with family and friends

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with? Can you give examples?

• Young people can access universal credit; they can keep in touch with people on social media and
  they can search for jobs and keep up to date with the news

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

• yes, they have been able to find jobs and/or return to study

“It is an excellent scheme that enhances young peoples lives much for the better”

Karen, working in Cheetham Hill, details some of their young people’s experiences in the scheme

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• Getting a laptop.

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with? Can you give examples?

• Yes, my YP can access their Manchester Move, Universal Credit journal and look for jobs.

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

•  Yes she has been offered a flat in Hulme.

“Yes it is a brilliant scheme need more laptops, mobile phones and Sim cards for the new YP joining leaving care.”

A personal advisor, working in Cheetham Hill, details some of their young people’s experiences in the scheme

What digital issues do your young people typically struggle with? How do these issues impact their life?

• Mobile phones, Credit and no laptops.

How has the support from this scheme benefited the young people you work with? Can you give examples?

• It has given them the resources to communicate with family, friends and professionals and apply for work.

Have any young people been able to access employment, training or other educational opportunities because of the devices or support they received? Please give us any details.

• Yes, they have registered on Indeed, and created CV's

“Its a good scheme because not many people can afford laptops etc.”