Facebook group vow to get Harrogate children laptops in lockdown
Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate are hoping to get laptops to every child who needs one to access home learning
A Harrogate community group which started on Facebook during the first lockdown are determined to make sure every child in the town has access to a tablet or laptop.
Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate is at the forefront of a drive for people to donate the devices so pupils can access remote learning.
Schools across the Harrogate District were preparing to reopen after the Christmas break, with primary schools returning for a day and secondaries having a staggered start. But it was announced by the government at the last minute that schools would be closed until at least the February half term.
The U-turn has left some schools unable to provide the technology for families who come from poorer backgrounds, meaning they could lose out on teaching.
Julie Mills, admin for Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate, said: "We've really had our eyes opened to see what is needed. Children are not being able to access learning delivered by the school which isn't good enough.
"If we can do our bit to help those children get the devices it's going to make a huge difference.
"On these zoom meetings and calls they can still see their friends and be part of a learning environment. It's very important for their learning to not be disrupted anymore.
"We'll collect them all up and send them out to the schools because they're the ones that know who are really in need of the equipment.
"The more we can get, the more we can help these children."
The group have teamed up with Phase 4 Computers in the town to get the devices cleared and ready to be used as soon as the schools receive them.
Anyone wanting to donate a laptop or tablet can drop them off at the Phase 4 Computers shop or contact the Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate Facebook group.
Earlier this week, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson promised that the government would deliver 750,000 devices to school children by the end of next week.