IT appeal to kick-start connectivity for those in need in the Dales

Local businesses and individuals are coming forward to help a new scheme which aims to donate unwanted laptops, tablets and smartphones for children who are remote learning and socially isolated adults who do not have regular IT access.

Reboot North Yorkshire is a collaborative project led and coordinated by North Yorkshire County Council. It brings together a wide range of partners and community organisations across the county – including businesses, libraries, schools, local charities and volunteers – to help provide people across North Yorkshire with IT equipment and access to the internet so they can stay connected.

The Reboot scheme will aid children who do not have access to digital devices to be able to continue their education from home using remote learning during lockdown and isolation periods.

It will also help adults who are socially isolated and who would benefit from connecting to family members and friends, particularly those who have been unable to see loved ones during the pandemic.  The aim of Reboot North Yorkshire is to get as many digitally disadvantaged people online as possible.  

So far, laptop donations have been received from Yorkshire-based businesses such as the Bettys & Taylors Group and social housing provider Beyond Housing.

People and organisations who want to donate are asked to take their devices to their nearest participating local library where an appropriate drop-off point will be clearly marked.  The devices will then be collected and refurbished by Reboot North Yorkshire, then distributed to those who are most in need of digital equipment.  People who do not have devices to donate but would like to support the initiative, can make a cash contribution to help provide data to those who do not have a reliable broadband connection. Information can be found on the Reboot North Yorkshire website.

Cllr David Chance, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Stronger Communities is appealing to the public and businesses to get involved:  “Perhaps you have an old laptop collecting dust, or an unused tablet hiding in the bottom of a drawer? Or maybe you received a new device for Christmas and you don’t know what to do with your old device.”

“Donating any unwanted devices in good working order will make a huge difference to people in our communities who may not be fortunate to have sufficient IT access.”

He explained: “Having access to the internet and to IT equipment is something often taken for granted. Digital technology is a valuable resource, yet many people still cannot access the internet, which increases exclusion and decreases access to important services during periods of lockdown.

“Reboot North Yorkshire’s aim is to reduce inequalities by addressing levels of digital exclusion across the area, starting with helping children to continue learning from home.”

“Lockdown has brought home to all of us just how essential digital connection is,” said Lucy Darwin, Head of IT Service Operations at Bettys & Taylors Group. “We’re delighted to be supporting the scheme both by providing reconditioned business devices and by encouraging our people to donate any unwanted personal devices. It’s a simple and practical way we can support our local community in these challenging times.”

Advice on how people can perform a factory reset to clear devices of personal data before donating is available on Reboot North Yorkshire’s website.  Once cleared of personal details, unwanted laptops, tablets and smartphones can be taken to participating local libraries during their usual opening hours.

Devices should be packaged securely with any chargers or cables included where possible.  To help minimise social contact, donations should be left in the appropriate drop-off point clearly marked in each participating library. People who want to donate should phone ahead and check opening times with their local library.

Libraries participating in the scheme are:                                                            

• Bentham  
• Filey 
• Harrogate 
• Hawes 
• Ingleton 
• Knaresborough 
• Malton 
• Marsham Community Office 
• Newby and Scalby 
• Nidderdale Plus 
• Northallerton 
• Pickering 
• Richmond 
• Ripon 
• Scarborough 
• Selby 
• Skipton 
• Stokesley – The Globe 
• Thirsk 
• Whitby 

Visit the Reboot North Yorkshire’s website for more details on how you can help Reboot North Yorkshire make a difference to digitally-disadvantaged individuals across the region.