We’ve delivered our 2,000th device as part of our Computer Delivery project! To celebrate this achievement, we invited Councillor Cammy Day to make the delivery.
Computer Delivery is a project born out of lockdown, developed from identifying the need for devices to stay digitally connected with friends and family, home-school children and access essential resources in the face of coronavirus. The project refurbishes donated devices and delivers them to people in Edinburgh and East Lothian, as well as distributing devices through the Connecting Scotland programme.
Finding employment
Our 2,000th recipient Karolina was referred to us through Access to Industry, a national organisation that works with unemployed people who face barriers to employment.
"We are extremely thankful for the service that People Know How has been able to provide for our clients. Access to Industry supports people into employment, courses, or training and many of them feel their progression is limited due to their lack of IT equipment. Thanks to organisations like People Know How our clients now have access to Zoom support sessions with us, they can attend online training and courses, apply for jobs online, and connect with their families/friends.”
Karolina is seeking employment to support her family and three children, but with no digital equipment, searching for jobs is a difficult task. Without a device, there is no possibility of regularly checking popular job listing websites, accessing resources or online courses to develop her skills, or even typing up a CV.
The delivery
Karolina’s new laptop was delivered on 6 October by Councillor Cammy Day. The first stop of the day was 525 Ferry Road, where Cllr Day collected the device and met with the team. Here he spoke with our Computer Delivery Coordinator Nigel, volunteer Ross and Chief Executive Glenn about the project and the impact it has had since its foundation.
With the device in hand, the group headed to Karolina’s house where they were greeted by her and her husband. They spoke about the impact the device will have, as well as developments in the local community, before leaving the family to get acquainted with their new device.
“I heard about you through Rachael from Access to Industry because I wanted to study ESOL online but couldn’t do it without a computer. Now I’m very excited to use my new laptop!”
Meeting the community's needs
This 2,000th device delivery is a momentous milestone for us and coincides with our win of a Scottish Charity Award less than a week before for our work in digital.
Computer Delivery is part of our Reconnect service supporting adults and family to improve wellbeing through increasing digital and social inclusion. Reconnect focuses on providing three main aspects to address digital exclusion – devices, digital skills and connectivity. Computer Delivery provides the devices, while our Wellbeing & Digital and Helpline projects provide the skills. Our work has now led us to launch Connectivity Now, a campaign to end data poverty by bringing affordable and accessible connectivity to all.
Since last year, we have supported over 4,000 people across our Reconnect service, enabling them to improve their digital and social inclusion. Our work simply wouldn’t be possible without your donations and the support of our incredible volunteers and staff.
We can’t wait to continue supporting the community with digital inclusion.
“I am very impressed by the work of People Know How and the ways in which they support people with devices, digital skills and data, including a national helpline open all week. I look forward to working with them further to ensure a joined up and strategic approach across public services, the business community, academia and our vibrant communities and third sector. It was a huge pleasure to meet Karolina, and to see that she is over the moon with her new devices!”