Hartlepool community organisation appeals for unused computers to help with home schooling

A community organisation is appealing for unwanted computers to help Hartlepool families struggling with the demands of home schooling during lockdown.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Poolie Time Exchange has put a call out to the community for any unused laptops, tablets and printers people may have to help with children’s remote learning.

All schools in England have been closed since Tuesday, January 5, due to the impact of coronavirus with children once again learning from home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But there are fears disadvantaged families are being left behind.

A child using a laptop computer. Campaigners are threatening legal action against the Government if it fails to step up its efforts to ensure all children can access remote education during the lockdown.A child using a laptop computer. Campaigners are threatening legal action against the Government if it fails to step up its efforts to ensure all children can access remote education during the lockdown.
A child using a laptop computer. Campaigners are threatening legal action against the Government if it fails to step up its efforts to ensure all children can access remote education during the lockdown.

Ian Cawley, of Poolie Time Exchange, said: “Not every family has laptops and tablets. Some parents are struggling at home, they can’t get their kids online.

"Some are having to take their children into school because they can’t access online schooling."

Mr Cawley said they had received several requests for the equipment including from other local organisations that work in the community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he said they have had a reasonable response after appealing to supporters on social media and have received a number of devices.

Ian Cawley of Poolie Time Exchange.Ian Cawley of Poolie Time Exchange.
Ian Cawley of Poolie Time Exchange.

Estimates from communications regulator Ofcom are that between 1.14 million and 1.78 million children in the UK do not have home access to a laptop, desktop or tablet, and that more than 880,000 children live in a household with only a mobile internet connection.

Read More
HSBC is offering free online learning resources for families - here's what's ava...

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said that children who do not have access to technology are seen as vulnerable and can attend school in person during the new national lockdown.

The Department for Education is providing 100,000 more laptops as part of a scheme to distribute one million devices to students by the end of the academic year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But it has been criticised by school leaders, teachers unions and charities as ‘ineffective’ and campaigners are threatening legal action against the Government if it fails to step up its efforts.

Jolyon Maugham QC, director of the Good Law Project said: “Forcing children of those families to go into school at the height of a pandemic because Government can’t or won’t provide devices for them looks suspiciously like sacrificing their health to protect its reputation.”

Anyone with computer equipment for Poolie Time Exchange is asked to drop it off at The Burbank Centre, Burbank Street, Hartlepool, having first ensured all personal data has been deleted.

Alternatively, contact Ian Cawley on 07472 358704.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.