Newark and Sherwood District Council has donated 80 laptops to 19 community groups across the district as part of its digital inclusion scheme.

It said even though so much of day-to-day life is now done through some form of screen, not everyone has access to a digital device and can, therefore, be left behind compared to their peers.

To reduce digital poverty, the council donates digital devices such as laptops and iPads that are past corporate life, but are still in excellent condition and fully functional, to local groups.

Groups that have received laptops include schools, charities, and food hubs. Below are John Banbury, of Dukeries Singers; Nina Goodman, of Bilsthorpe Emergency Team; and Liz Phillips, of Lifespring Centre, Ollerton. Top are Daniel Sunuwar and Mark Himsworth, of Blidworth on the Move.

Ten laptops were donated to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Boughton, for extra-curricular club Minecraft and Coding.

Headteacher Elspeth Wilkins-Campbell said: “The school is extremely grateful to the council for the provision of the laptops for the school. They are also to be used to support our SEND provision during interventions.

“The children are very excited to access these sessions, and there is a wonderful uptake of opportunity.”

Coun Lee Brazier, lead digital champion at the council, said: “As part of our commitment to digital inclusivity across Newark and Sherwood, I am delighted to see groups within the district taking advantage of our digital inclusion scheme.

“Offering digital devices that are past corporate life, but still fully workable, supports our mission of reducing digital poverty, improving digital inclusivity, and creating a better-connected district.

As a council, we maintain a commitment to providing our communities with the means to be more digitally included.

“When our devices reach the end of their corporate life, we will carry on offering them out to community groups to support this work.”