The Council is launching a new programme to help reduce the digital divide in Coventry called the #CovConnects Device Bank.
The #CovConnects Device Bank will support community organisations and charities to access digital devices, which can be distributed to communities and residents. The #CovConnects team will provide support for connectivity and digital skills in addition to the devices, ensuring residents and organisations are able to access all of the benefits digital inclusion brings.
A wide range of devices are available as part of the programme including laptops and smartphones. The devices are mostly recycled, refurbished ex-council stock with a small number of devices donated by our partners supplementing the stock.
This programme showcases the Council’s continued commitment to reducing inequalities and tackling climate change. For more on this work, please read the draft Climate Change strategy. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/draftclimatechangestrategy]
As of 23 June 2023, brand new devices secured via the WMCA Connected Services programme will be distributed via the #CovConnects Device Bank.
Information on eligible communities can be found in this #CovConnects news article [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/major-boost-city%E2%80%99s-campaign-digital-poverty].
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Applying to the #CovConnects Device Bank
Organisations can apply for the digital devices by using this online form [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/en/service/_CovConnects___Device_Bank_application].
If you are applying as an internal Coventry City Council Service, you must apply for digital devices using this online form [https://coventrycc-dash.achieveservice.com/service/_CovConnects___Device_bank_application].
Organisations must be based in Coventry and come from the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VSCE) sector. We cannot accept applications directly from individuals.
A maximum of 20 devices can be requested at any one time. All the devices will have been wiped and will contain a standard operating system. No accessories beyond a charger (laptop) or USB cable (phone) will be included with the devices.
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Reviewing applications
All applications will be reviewed on the content and quality of the responses to the online form.
#CovConnects objective is to ensure that these devices are distributed to those most in need. Any organisation requesting the devices will be required to explain how they will use these devices to support digitally excluded residents in a way that is meaningful to them. The #CovConnects team can provide support to organisations to help them complete applications if required.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application within 4-6 weeks.
Successful applicants can expect to receive the devices, subject to stock levels, within 6-8 weeks.
If you have a question about this scheme then please email the team at CovConnectsDigital@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:CovConnectsDigital@coventry.gov.uk]
We would also encourage organisations to check the additional support available via our webpages [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/resources-organisations].
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#CovConnects Partners
Organisations that have been successful in their application to the Device Bank will automatically become a #CovConnects Partner. As our partner you will automatically be signed up to receive regular communications from us such as a monthly newsletter, alerts and emails.
Your organisation will also be able to:
- Reference the partnership working on digital inclusion activity. We will list your organisation as a contributing partner on our #CovConnects webpage. If your organisation has a website, you will be able to publicise it on there if you wish.
- Reference the current activity of #CovConnects and partners to help explore future funding opportunities. You will be able to use your digital partnership with us when making local or national funding applications.
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#CovConnects Device Bank resources
To understand the set-up process of Chromebooks gifted to organisations through the #CovConnects Device Bank, you can either view the YouTube tutorial-style video above, or read the following set-up guide below, which is also available as a printable PDF document. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/40738/-covconnects-chromebook-guide]
#CovConnects Chromebook Guide
In this short guide, you will learn how to set up your Chromebook so that you can become familiar with your new device and start browsing!
What will you receive?
- Lenovo Chromebook
- Battery charger
Turning on your Chromebook is done by pressing the top right key on the keyboard with the padlock symbol, there is also a power button to the right of the keyboard on the side of the laptop.
The first time you use your Chromebook, you will go through a short set-up where you choose some preferences. You will also be asked to create a new Google account or log into an existing one.
Setting up your Chromebook
On the welcome page, you can change your preferred language and enable accessibility options such as a screen reader, a larger cursor, screen magnifier etc.
After selecting the 'Get Started' button on the bottom left of the screen, you will then be asked to connect to a Wi-Fi Network.
Using your EE Dongle
If you received a 4GEE mini dongle with your Chromebook, follow the set-up process below.
- Remove the back cover of the 4GEE mini dongle.
- Punch out the SIM Card to the nano (smallest) size and then insert the SIM into the back of the dongle by sliding it under the metal holder with the EE logo facing upright and to the left.
- Place the battery in the back of the dongle and re-attach the back cover.
- Use the white cable to connect the dongle to your Chromebook and turn it on using the white button on the side of the dongle.
- Select the network with '4GEE-WiFi' in its name and use the unique password on the 'Keep Me Card' to connect.
- Congratulations! Your Chromebook is now connected to the internet
Please note, 4GEE Mini Dongles use a pre-loaded SIM card with 120GB of data that is valid for 12 months.
Terms of Service
Once connected to the internet, your Chromebook will ask you to review Google's Terms of Service. If you are happy with them, simply scroll to the bottom of the page and then press 'Accept and Continue'.
Later, you will be asked to accept the Google Play Terms of Service. Google Play is Google's App Store where applications are downloaded, such as Netflix. To use Google Play, you will have to accept their Terms of Service.
Account creation
You will then be prompted to identify who is going to be using this Chromebook.
You can select to set up the device for yourself or a child. If you choose the latter, you can set up some digital ground rules.
If you have an existing Google account, you can sign in and sync your settings to your Chromebook. To create a new Google account, select 'More Options' and choose the create account option. You'll then be prompted to create a Gmail account that you'll use to sign into your Chromebook.
Preferences
After sorting the Google account, you will be asked to select some preferences for various settings such as:
- A light theme or a dark theme - this changes your Chromebook's display.
- Google Assistant - enabling Google Assistant on your Chromebook allows Google Assistant to give better suggestions and responses you might ask to a Google-branded smart device like a Google Nest.
- PIN - creating a pin for your account allows you to sign in faster. This is because you type in a created passcode rather than a password each time you turn on your Chromebook.
Once your Chromebook has completed the set-up process, you will be greeted with your home page. On this page you can find the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. From here you can access the Google Play Store to download apps or use Google Chrome to begin browsing the internet!