The Council’s newly launched #CovConnects Device Bank has received a major boost thanks to a donation from a key partner.
The #CovConnects Device Bank has received a donation of approximately 2000 digital devices from the West Midland's Combined Authority's Connected Services programme. These devices, which have a value of £616,000, include laptops, Chromebooks, PC's and mi-fi dongles.
The devices will be distributed via the #CovConnects Device Bank to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations in specific communities across the city.
The communities eligible for these devices include postcodes within Bell Green, Henley Green, Wood End, Spon End, Stoke, Hillfields, Foleshill, Longford, Holbrooks, Radford, Binley, Willenhall, Tile Hill and Canley. The communities were identified by the City Council and WMCA as being areas where digital exclusion is disproportionately higher.
By distributing these devices directly to these communities, the Council aims to tackle digital exclusion and improve residents access to the digital world. In addition to providing the devices, the #CovConnects team will provide support for organisations and their residents across connectivity, skills and support, to ensure maximum benefit to the recipients.
Organisations can apply for the programme on the Council's website now.
Cllr Richard Brown, Cabinet Member for Strategic Finances and Resources, said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to receive this funding. It's going to make a huge difference to the lives of our residents.
"As a City Council, we're committed to tackling digital poverty across our city. We all understand how essential the digital world is to everyday life and we want all our residents to be able to connect with that world.
Cllr David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: "Receiving these devices is fantastic news. It's a major boost to the work our #CovConnects Device Bank is already doing.
"We know have some communities in our city who really suffer from digital exclusion. This project acknowledges that, and we'll be working closely with organisations in those areas to provide these devices.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: "Digital connectivity is more and more vital for residents right across our region - with public services, employment opportunities and everyday tasks often moving into the online sphere. That's why we must do all we can to support local people to get the right skills as sadly a digital divide persists in some parts of the West Midlands.
"We've secured funding for digital devices in our recent Devolution Deal with Government which will help ensure that local people of all backgrounds are given the chance to access technology. This is how they can learn the digital basics that will enable them to participate in an increasingly online society."
In addition to these devices, the City Council has also received a £25,000 capital grant for adaptive technology which will be used to explore innovative ways of using digital technologies to reduce loneliness and isolation and tackle digital exclusion in our communities.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest news about the #CovConnects, sign up for the newsletter, head to visit our #CovConnects webpages or follow the team on Facebook and Twitter.