#GiveNTech

Cleo Lake has launched #GiveNTech - a tech amnesty where unused IT hardware is donated, wiped of data, cleaned, fixed and given to those who need it. The pilot started in-house at Avon Fire & Rescue, appealing to their 800 plus staff network to donate kit. Should more be needed then the campaign will appeal to the public to donate.
Green Party Councillor and artist Cleo Lake, who runs dance classes for elders in Bristol, became concerned about the elders whose clubs and classes were cancelled. Knowing these clubs to be an important life line she considered how she might help fill the void.
“I decided to restart the weekly class online, but I was aware that many do not have a smart phone let alone a laptop or computer. These elders would not be able to access the online session until they get support to be online. It was also really hard hearing of elders and friends of mine who had passed away. This made me further reflect on the issue of isolation and how many would not be able to pay their respects via a Zoom funeral. It became something I felt deeply saddened and moved by.”
“At the same time I understood and reflected upon my own privilege. I have a smart phone, laptop and iPad which makes it easy for me to do work from home and for my 10 year old son to study either with the work emailed from school directly or utilising the multitude of education platforms available such as BBC bitesize. I know this isn't the case for everyone and children will be failed in this period if they can’t access support and resources. I also considered the people who would normally rely on public resources like library computers - how are they now getting online?”
Cleo Lake has received support from Avon Fire & Rescue (Cleo is an Avon Fire Authority Member, Chairing the People & Culture Committee), Bristol Waste and Bristol Computer Reuse.

Context: Digital exclusion is real. Whilst we often hear sound bites and read references to inclusion, COVID 19 induced lockdown and ‘home schooling’ has painfully re-exposed inequalities in the starkest way. It has become clear that school children, elders, students and those on a low income are being left behind as important parts of life shift further online.

Stakeholders involved: Avon Fire & Rescue
Bristol Waste
Bristol Computer Reuse

Key learning points: NEI.

Evaluation: No

Information sources: https://twitter.com/cleodancebaton/status/1259106480168546304
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/call-for-citywide-action-to-tackle-digital-exclusion/?wn=google_ads_iframe_%2F90167980%2FSA-Bristol247%2FUnit2_0&r1=

Read the full analysis: shorturl.at/hLR16