# How to donate laptops for home learning amid COVID19 lockdown

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/01/12/how-to-donate-laptops-for-home-learning-amid-covid19-lockdown/
- Published: 2021-01-12T10:28:02+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Ten months after the first national lockdown, with schools across England once
again closed due to the pandemic, it is clear that many students still do not have
access to a computer, laptop or data. Here are some of the initiatives that have
been launched, or re-launched, to tackle this as a matter of urgency.**

The lack of access to digital technology for all pupils is demonstrating existing
inequalities in households. Now that the government has agreed that [children in England without access to sufficient technology at home may now attend school](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/05/call-for-pupils-without-laptops-in-england-to-be-allowed-into-schools-covid),
school numbers have gone up in many places, and these children and their families
face the further disadvantage of being exposed to coronavirus in a way in which 
[more affluent families are not](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-55558431).

One point to make early on: **please do not turn up to a school to drop off donated
technology**. Apart from COVID-19 safety issues, they will not be set up to accept,
handle, store, refurbish and distribute technology equipment. You should use some
of the services featured here.
 

## Advertisement

## BBC launches laptop donation campaign for home learning

 

Local BBC radio stations are asking for laptop donations for students who need them
for online learning, the BBC announced last week. 

With all schools closed across England, teaching has gone fully online. However,
not all students have access to a computer or laptop. The BBC’s campaign aims to
reach these children by asking the general public to donate their unwanted laptops,
computers, mobile phones or tablets. 

The BBC says it is working with charities to collect, wipe and share the laptops
with children who need them. One of these is [Business To Schools](https://www.business2schools.com/donate)
who are working with schools to connect them with donated equipment. 

The BBC said on its website: “Last summer local BBC radio stations helped members
of the public donate thousands of old laptops and tablets for schoolchildren to 
use across England. For those pupils, who were sharing phones at home while learning
in lockdown, it made a huge difference. With schools now closed again we’re once
more asking you to help those pupils still in need.” 

If you are a technology or data company with schemes that can help with access to
the internet, or a charity not listed who would like to share details with the BBC’s
Make a Difference Give a Laptop campaign, contact your local BBC radio station or
email en*****@****co.uk.

Find out more about donating a device on the [BBC website](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5SqHJMTKZx5sYhlltXJvB1Q/give-a-laptop).

## Greenham Trust launches Laptops for Lockdown Learning fund

Greenham Trust has launched a ‘[Laptops for Lockdown Learning](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/01/11/greenham-trust-launches-laptops-for-lockdown-learning-fund/)’
appeal to raise funds so it can ensure every child in its area of operation who 
needs one, has one.

Hosted on The Good Exchange, Greenham Trust will **match up to £250,000** of donations
made to the appeal. Every £1 donated will be matched, with the capability to raise
£500,000 to help schools buy laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children to learn
from.

The campaign initially serves local children in the Greenham Trust’s area of operation,
which is the West Berkshire and North Hampshire region. However, if The Good Exchange
also attracts other funders, corporates and the wider community onto the platform,
similar programmes could be created in other areas of the UK.

## Tech for UK

> BREAKING: [@TechForUK](https://twitter.com/TechForUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) launches'
> Lockdown Laptops Map' listing almost 1,000 schools that need laptops for kids 
> to learn remotely, Tech providers who will convert donations, + a guide on how
> to donate[https://t.co/yQOES3txlb](https://t.co/yQOES3txlb)
> Press Release: [https://t.co/AzU7EpmSj2](https://t.co/AzU7EpmSj2)
> [#LockdownLaptops](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LockdownLaptops?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> — Tech For UK (@TechForUK) [January 14, 2021](https://twitter.com/TechForUK/status/1349657750096248832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

**Tech for UK** has published a ‘Lockdown Laptops Map’ to feature nearly 1,000 schools
that still need laptops to provide to children to learn remotely. It also features
technology providers who will convert donated items, and a guide on how to donate.

## Reboot

[Reboot](https://www.rebootproject.uk/) is “an interactive platform providing practical
steps which enables schools, charities and community groups to set up your own device
distribution programme”. Their free guide explains how you can collect, restore 
and rehome devices, to give them and their new owners a brighter future.

The site was set-up rapidly this month by [Third Sector Lab](https://thirdsectorlab.co.uk/).

> There are an estimated 11 million unused devices which could be repurposed for
> use in [#schools](https://twitter.com/hashtag/schools?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw),
> charity groups and local services. Discover more about how Reboot is helping to
> reconnect devices and people in a cost-effective way: [https://t.co/ui0E6LOrbl](https://t.co/ui0E6LOrbl)
> [#Reboot](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reboot?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/iMYH3WvlS1](https://t.co/iMYH3WvlS1)
> — Nominet (@Nominet) [January 13, 2021](https://twitter.com/Nominet/status/1349359293838077960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Schools fundraising for digital equipment

> We've launched a GoFund me campaign to tackle the [#digitaldivide](https://twitter.com/hashtag/digitaldivide?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw),
> alleviate [#digitalpoverty](https://twitter.com/hashtag/digitalpoverty?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> and provide ALL students with [#onlinelearning](https://twitter.com/hashtag/onlinelearning?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> during [#schoolclosures](https://twitter.com/hashtag/schoolclosures?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw).
> If you can help with any small amount, it will be gratefully received. You can
> donate here:[https://t.co/Z205XijOyo](https://t.co/Z205XijOyo)
> — Cotham School (@CothamSchool) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/CothamSchool/status/1347474697492045824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Some schools are fundraising for laptops

Some schools and their PTA have set up fundraising campaigns specifically to fund
technology donations for all their pupils.

Some, like Cotham School, have experienced not only financial donations but donations
of new equipment: 

> One of our most touching donations today from a member of the public who anonymously
> dropped off a brand-new laptop with this powerful message for one lucky recipient.
> It did bring a tear to the eye of some of our staff![#digitalpoverty](https://twitter.com/hashtag/digitalpoverty?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#onlinelearning](https://twitter.com/hashtag/onlinelearning?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#digitaldivide](https://twitter.com/hashtag/digitaldivide?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#inspiring](https://twitter.com/hashtag/inspiring?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/juVPmw0CKO](https://t.co/juVPmw0CKO)
> — Cotham School (@CothamSchool) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/CothamSchool/status/1347611563520380932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Fundraising via Amazon wish list

Other schools are fundraising for tech equipment via an [Amazon wishlist](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/02/03/adding-your-charity039s-amazon-wishlist-your-website/).
In this way they can specify the items they require and in what volume so that donors
know what or how much to donate: 

> I may have failed in my quest to get laptops for our children but I’m now launching
> an idea to post a new book through the door of every child in our school (all 
> 300 of them). Lockdown Book Post! I’ve created a book wishlist here [https://t.co/PSiIvntymC](https://t.co/PSiIvntymC)
> please retweet 😊
> — Mr G (@DeputyGrocott) [January 9, 2021](https://twitter.com/DeputyGrocott/status/1347996870140973056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Other appeals

Other giving platforms are also running appeals to fund tech for pupils at home:

 https://twitter.com/RocketFundUK/status/1346412050214432768

## Reduced or free data costs

Studying from home also requires an adequate mobile data or a broadband connection
and many families struggle to afford these, in addition to the laptops/tablets required.
This was highlighted by MPs in June 2020 according to The Guardian’s [Give 1m UK children reliable broadband or risk harming their education, MPs say](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jun/15/uk-children-reliable-broadband-coronavirus-lockdown-education).

BT is one provider that is helping: 

> A child’s potential to learn should have no limits, so we're giving families in
> England who need it most unlimited mobile data with our ‘Lockdown Learning’ support
> scheme.
> We’re also giving away wi-fi vouchers for BT hotspots across the UK and
> zero-rating educational websites. [pic.twitter.com/L711P4Z6Ez](https://t.co/L711P4Z6Ez)
> — BT (@bt_uk) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/bt_uk/status/1347542877975539714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Established sources of donated tech

Of course there are plenty of charities and organisations that have accepted donated
tech products for years in order to refurbish them and distribute them to other 
charities or individuals. In general it is far better to use a specialist service
like these rather than dropping off donated used technology products to schools 
which are not qualified to store, process and handle them. 

> Keep those unwanted tech donations coming – thanks to everyone for a great response.
> [@IlkleyChat](https://twitter.com/IlkleyChat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@IlkleyGazette](https://twitter.com/IlkleyGazette?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [@DawYorks](https://twitter.com/DawYorks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@Solidaritech_](https://twitter.com/Solidaritech_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/kBjLuz2QNb](https://t.co/kBjLuz2QNb)
> — Climate Action Ilkley (@ClimateIlkley) [January 11, 2021](https://twitter.com/ClimateIlkley/status/1348651370090532870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Nice opportunity to support [@TechTakeback](https://twitter.com/TechTakeback?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> in computer refurbishment and getting much needed laptops and devices to families
> [#circulartech](https://twitter.com/hashtag/circulartech?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#education](https://twitter.com/hashtag/education?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#reducereuserecycle](https://twitter.com/hashtag/reducereuserecycle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#repair](https://twitter.com/hashtag/repair?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/tBBEfhKNp4](https://t.co/tBBEfhKNp4)
> — Studio Technical Nature | Erica (@TechnicalNature) [January 14, 2021](https://twitter.com/TechnicalNature/status/1349774760713084930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Other sources include:

 * [Charity Digital Exchange](https://charitydigital.org.uk/products) – part of 
   the TechSoup global initiative, they offer software and some hardware to charities,
   and have helped 32,000 charities in this way since 2001.
 * [In Kind Direct](https://www.inkinddirect.org/) – accepts donated goods from 
   companies and delivers them to charities that need them. It covers all kinds 
   of products, and sometimes this can include technology products.

## Donate printers?

Focusing on the right equipment is essential in order to help students and schools
now. For example, adding printers to the list of essential technology for home-based
students is perhaps a step too far. Printer ink is very expensive and, unless donated
in bulk with a printer (and the right kind of ink), is going to limit the utility
of the printer in households that couldn’t afford a laptop in the first place. 

Lessons that do not require printing is one way approach to avoid adding printers
to study-at-home requirement lists. 

> Schools shouldn't be posting worksheets that require printing.
> It's digitally 
> excluding a huge number of families, it involves unnecessary parent intervention,
> it's bad for the environment and it's 2021.
> — Ross McCulloch (@ThirdSectorLab) [January 11, 2021](https://twitter.com/ThirdSectorLab/status/1348592565726142464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Donating IT to pupils internationally

There are other charities that accept donated technology to donate to disadvantaged
pupils outside the UK.
The Edinburgh-based [Turing Trust](https://turingtrust.co.uk/),
set up in 2009 in honour of Alan Turing by his family, honours his legacy by providing
quality IT resources and training to schools in sub-Saharan Africa.  It works in
Malawi, Ghana and the UK.  

## Other government initiatives to support pupils

You can find out more about support for digitally disadvantaged pupils in [Wales](https://gov.wales/device-and-connectivity-update-digitally-excluded-learners-during-coronavirus-covid-19)
and in [Northern Ireland](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/weir-announces-free-wi-fi-scheme-disadvantaged-pupils).

## More resources?

Are there other resources in the UK for donating laptops and technology for pupils
studying from home? If so, add them in the comments below.