Cambridge Building Society has stepped forward with a donation of 20 smartphones aimed at assisting individuals supported by the Cambridge Care Leavers Local Offer pathway.
This initiative is dedicated to fostering connections and ensuring care leavers transition into careers, higher education, or achieve self-sufficiency.
Joe Gilbert, lead officer for Care Leavers Local Offer, stressed the vulnerability of young people in contemporary society, often through no fault of their own.
He emphasised the collective community responsibility in ensuring these individuals are aptly prepared for life’s subsequent phases.
Expressing gratitude for the smartphone donations, Gilbert said: “The overwhelming positive response to the smartphones highlights their importance. Your generosity has not only impacted lives but also served as an essential bridge for many.”
The smartphone contribution was orchestrated in collaboration with Laptops4Learning, an initiative that rejuvenates surplus technology from local enterprises and channels it towards bridging the digital gap within the community.
Sue Gowling, the mind behind Laptops4Learning, recalled the inception of the project at the pandemic’s outset, aiming to address the glaring digital disparities. Celebrating their collaboration with entities like The Cambridge, she stated: “Our primary objective is to ensure sustainable IT upgradation while simultaneously addressing the digital void in the community.” Gowling further added that their reach has now extended nationally, delivering over 5,000 devices, of which more than 1,000 catered to needs within the Cambridgeshire area.
Trevor Tannenbaum, head of IT at The Cambridge, expressed the mutual’s unwavering commitment to bridging the digital chasm. “Our focus remains on devising innovative solutions to assist individuals, and these donations symbolise our dedication. Every piece of technology gifted is a step towards narrowing the digital disparity.”
In addition to smartphones, The Cambridge has also gifted 15 monitors and 10 laptops for socially beneficial purposes via Laptops4Learning. The mutual is also gearing up for its next round of device contributions.
For further details on this noble initiative, one can visit www.laptops4learning.co.uk.
