Digital devices bought for Northumberland residents disadvantaged due to Covid-19

Digital equipment is being rolled out across Northumberland thanks to funding secured through the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
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Over £200,000 has been secured to ensure people in care homes, those in employment support programmes, further or higher education and school children who have been disadvantaged due to Covid-19 receive a digital device to help them connect with friends and family, learn or to simply get online.

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council, said: “We have already seen some of our youngest residents receive digital devices thanks to Department for Education funding.

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“That has made a huge difference to those children – the way they learn and connect. But this additional funding will mean so many more children and young people have access to devices – and that is our aim, to support as many children and young people through their learning journey as possible.”

Digital devices have been given to Northumberland residents disadvantaged by Covid-19. Picture: PixabayDigital devices have been given to Northumberland residents disadvantaged by Covid-19. Picture: Pixabay
Digital devices have been given to Northumberland residents disadvantaged by Covid-19. Picture: Pixabay

Over 200 devices have already been rolled out to those in education and employment support programmes to date - 122 of which have been given specifically to children and young people in schools and learning from home.

Plans are also in place to deliver devices to those in need in care homes over the coming weeks.

Cllr Veronica Jones, cabinet member for adult wellbeing said: “This funding will make a difference to a lot of people’s social and emotional wellbeing and lives in general.

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"Many of our care home residents have been disconnected from their family and friends and this will help them to reconnect and see those loved ones they have longed to see.

"But it will also support those adults who have found themselves in employment programmes due to the pandemic, or those trying to further themselves in education.

“I am so pleased that we are able to help residents in this way. We as a council are committed to providing what support we can during this difficult time, and this is another way in which we are able to do that.”

Cllr Joyce McCarty, cabinet member for employability and inclusion at the North of Tyne Combined Authority, said: “The success of these schemes like this will create a better future for young people and help us to shape a more skilled and inclusive economy.”

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