Covid 19 Response : Power to Connect Donate old laptops to families needing them
Battersea Power Station and Wandsworth Council have launched a joint initiative called Power to Connect, to help tackle digital exclusion and make sure families have the support they need to stay connected during the COVID-19 crisis, whether for their children’s education or for other needs.
The Power to Connect campaign asks residents and businesses to donate their old laptops and tablets to families without access to this technology.
The items are re-purposed by volunteers at a computer renovation hub with strict social distancing practices. Each device is wiped for security purposes and turned into a Chromebook, before being cleaned and delivered to community organisations for distribution to local families in need or patients at St George’s NHS Hospital. The scheme is locally based, so items donated in Balham and Tooting are given to residents there.
Since the scheme’s launch on 17th April, there’s been a great response.. To date, over 70 items have been donated and 25 volunteers have signed up to help with either distribution, collection or repurposing. Many local families and schools have already benefitted.
However much more is needed, so if you have a laptop or tablet you no longer need, please go to the Power to Connect website to find out how to donate it or respond to the call for volunteers.
