Digital innovation

In London, SocialBox.Biz – run by a former refugee – and supporting charities have provided 1,000 people with a free reconditioned laptop or tablet. They aim to reach the most digitally excluded groups, including the elderly, homeless people and refugees.

DFC support for digital capacity in the voluntary sector

The Department for Communities announced a £3.3m Covid recovery fund for applicants from the voluntary sector, roughly a quarter of which is for IT and digital devices to help groups move services online.

Department of Education efforts for digitally excluded students

NI’s Education Minister told the NI Assembly this week that as of 31 October, about 8,300 devices had been given out directly to digitally excluded students. Current digital support programmes run through March 2021, and further funding will be sought after that.