£1.1 million pledged to support Wiltshire families needing digital devices
Several organisations across the county are looking to help struggling children
Last updated 11th Jan 2021
Wiltshire Council has pledged to spend £1.1 million on laptops and digital devices, to aid the county's disadvantaged pupils.
The authority is attempting to help students who are without access to technology get online, meaning they can undertake virtual learning.
Children who don't have a laptop are currently allowed into school alongside children of key workers and vulnerable students.
However, the Council hopes that providing more devices will mean fewer pupils have to attend, allowing schools to better follow social distancing guidelines.
The money will buy around 2,500 devices.
Wiltshire Council has also thanked local charities for their "extraordinary effort", as many have recycled second-hand laptops for schools.
'Not acceptable' for children to be without equipment
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, said:
"It is essential our children and young people can continue to be taught and have an education in these difficult times, as well as being able to maintain links with friends and have face to face contact with their teachers.
"With the news that schools will close, we are aware there are families and young people out there who are left without the means to access that education and this is not acceptable.
"By using our government COVID-19 funding in this way we are ensuring families are not disadvantaged and can join their peers working from home".
During last year's Summer Term, the authority distributed 1232 pieces of technology across 138 schools.
Secondary schools can already access devices from the Department for Education - primary schools will be able to follow suit by 15 January.
Salisbury's Conservative MP has give his reaction to the announcement:
Wiltshire Council is not the only organisation providing support to families in need.
Set-up last year to help children, Wiltshire Digital Drive is a Community Interest Company.
It urged residents to donate their broken and unused technology - which were refurbished, recycled and then distributed to vulnerable kids.
Between April and September 2020, the organisation sent 150 laptops into the local community.
With students now back home for at least a month, the organisation is once again appealing for unwanted digital devices:
'Everything pushed online has exacerbated the digital divide'
Its Co-director, Natalie Sherman, has told Greatest Hits Radio:
"The digital divide has been something that has gone under the radar, but has been known about for quite a lot of years.
"It has been magnified and made a lot worse due to lockdown, because of schools having to close and children having to go to a remote learning set-up.
"Previously adults who may not be able to afford tech would get it supplied at their work place and children would have it supplied at school, but everything pushed online has kind of exacerbated the digital divide in the county".