A community project born during the pandemic to help children and young people access a computer, laptop or tablet — and the internet — has reached a significant milestone.

#WeMakeICTPossible was launched in October 2020 to tackle digital poverty by collecting and rebuilding unwanted ICT equipment, before passing it on to schools, colleges, and other groups.

The campaign, which is supported by computer science students at West Nottinghamshire College repairing and upgrading donated laptops and computers, arose from schools and people appealing for help during the initial covid pandemic lockdown.

Now the businesspeople behind the initiative, which has been supported by the local community through IT equipment and monetary donations, are celebrating helping 500 families across Mansfield and Ashfield, including a family from Ukraine who fled the war in their homeland to seek sanctuary in Mansfield.

The latest schools to benefit from donations, and the work of the college’s Resolve IT learning company, were Hillocks Primary, Sutton and All Saints’ Catholic Academy, Mansfield.

#WeMakeICTPossible was started by The Musketeers CIC charity, which was founded by three business owners, Gary Jordan, managing director of GMJ Solutions and chair of Mansfield BID; Martin Rigley, managing director of Lindhurst Engineering and chair of Discover Ashfield; and Katie Cooper-Lewis, director of Grace Consultancy Midlands.

Gary said: “To reach a milestone of 500 families helped since we set up the campaign is absolutely wonderful.

“To know that children who would previously have not had access to a PC or a laptop can now make use of digital assets is very humbling.

“When we researched local issues in 2019, 26% of Mansfield and Ashfield families had no access to digital equipment.

“Covid exacerbated the issue with home learning and the onslaught of digital is still making this a local problem that needs resolution.

“To help in our small way makes us proud of local businesses and the public who have donated the redundant equipment, instead of simply discarding it.

“We would also like to thank the students at West Nottinghamshire College’s Resolve IT team, and the staff who look after them, for the great work in dismantling, rebuilding, and ensuring the kit is fit to send out.

“We are still looking for laptops if any local businesses can help.”

Resolve IT is just one West Nottinghamshire College’s learning companies and comprises of computer science students working together to make it a fully-functioning business.

The college’s digital trainer assessor, Gemma Bhayat, said: “Our team of students have worked brilliantly to help the charity to reach this 500 mark and they’re just as keen to keep bringing old equipment up-to-date ready for redistribution.

“They make sure they comply with data protection rules and perform all the relevant maintenance checks and work professionally on this project with the support from the team mentors and computer science students.”

If anyone would like to donate unwanted computer equipment, contact Gary via his LinkedIn or Facebook accounts — www.facebook.com/gary.jordan2 and www.linkedin.com/in/gary-jordan-non-executive-director/ respectively.

Laptops and PCs can also be donated via West Nottinghamshire College, contact Gemma Bhayat on [email protected]

The appeal also welcomes monetary donations because occasionally it has to buy new components for its rebuilds.

Among the schools that have benefited since #WeMakeICTPossible was set up are: Sutton Road, King Edward, Ethel Wainwright, St Peters, Redgate primary schools in Mansfield; Hetts Lane and Birklands primary schools in Warsop; Sam Barlow Primary in Clipstone; Woodland View Primary in Huthwaite; Orchard Primary and Bracken Hill in Kirkby, Annesley Primary; Leamington Primary in Sutton; Skegby Junior Academy; Yeoman Park Academy in Mansfield Woodhouse; and Eastlands Junior School in Meden Vale.

Secondary schools to have received equipment include Queen Elizabeth’s Academy and All Saints’ Catholic Academy, Mansfield; The Manor Academy, Mansfield Woodhouse; Meden School, Warsop; The Garibaldi School, Forest Town; Quarrydale Academy, Sutton; and Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (ATTFE).

Donna Percival, principal at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, said: “We’ve been lucky enough to benefit from donations from #wemakeICTpossible that have assisted our most disadvantaged families. Giving the gift of digital access is priceless.”

Vanessa Farr, head teacher at Birklands Primary, added: “The laptops we were given will make a huge difference to our families. It will enable our children to access the software and programmes we encourage them to use at home to continue their learning.

“As a school we are very grateful and look forward to seeing the smiles on the families’ faces when they’re handed the laptops.”

Beverley Kirk, director at First Class Tailored Solutions for Young People, which helps children and young people outside mainstream education and received laptops, said: “Many of the youngsters with whom we work are vulnerable… and many do not have access to laptops of their own. The laptops will make a real difference to our learners.”