Cannock Soroptimists, like many others, are involved in collecting and distributing laptops and
tablets to schools to ensure that all children have access to a digital device so that they can take
part in on-line lessons and complete pieces of work for school.
The Coronovirus pandemic has highlighted the fact that there is a ‘digital divide’; – some families
have plenty of access to a device and the internet, others have none and this can widen the gap
in terms of education and so much more. Some families are trying to share a mobile phone, or
one other type of device: this is obviously nowhere near ideal.
Over the last few months the club carried out research, being especially mindful that devices
must be cleaned of data before they are delivered to a school. Members were informed of an
approved programme that wipes data from devices, making them ready to be used as a
Chromebook.
The first devices have been cleaned and taken to Bridgtown School and they have already gone
out to children on loan, enabling more children and families to access their education. Initially SI
Cannock & District is supporting Bridgtown School, they will then move to other local primary
schools in need.
Photo attached: 1. top to bottom – Soroptimist June Bould presents laptop to Loren Baker at Bridgtown
School
2. One of the laptops presented by SI Cannock & District