New project to tackle digital divide in West Midlands

Figures show around a quarter of young people in the West Midlands don't have access to a computer or tablet at home.

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 1st Apr 2024
Last updated 15th Apr 2024

A project has been launched to help tackle the digital divide in the West Midlands, and encourage more people to gain vital skills.

It's as figures show around a quarter of young people in the region - aged 16 to 25 - don't have access to computers or tablets at home.

ReCognition Circular is a community interest company which refurbishes old devices and then lends them out through charities and community groups.

It has recently been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to help bridge the digital gap and promoting digital inclusivity in the West Midlands.

The Lottery funding will specifically help the organisation to scale up its training programs, empowering young individuals with skills in repairing computers and mobile devices.

Neil Gentleman-Hobbs, Head of Partnerships at ReCognition Circular, said: "We can take seven year old devices, which companies don't want any more and actually they have to pay to dispose of. We can refurbish them and then hand them out to people in the community.

"So the vast majority of our kit will go into charities and into the third sector. Most of these places have wi-fi access they can share, we can provide the devices to give people something to do and something to learn.

"If you give somebody a new skill, especially in technology, they're going to go out and get a job. Or they may go and set up their own business, and help other people. It doesn't take much to do it."

Businesses across the West Midlands are being encouraged to donate their unwanted computers and mobile devices, to support the project.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.