Long Sutton centre's appeal for gadgets to support kids

The shift to home learning has led to daily fights over who uses the family laptop, which has prompted appeals for gadget donations.

The Trustees of Long Sutton Market House Community Centre are hoping to help families in need of the technology required to learn while keeping the peace at home.

An appeal launched earlier this month is calling for anyone with laptops or tablets going spare to donate the items, which will then be restored by volunteers and passed on to schools who will distribute them to families.

Trustee Pat Wells, who is working on the appeal alongside fellow trustee Charlie Carter, said: “From what we have been told by the governors of local schools, they are really short and struggling.

“There is a terrific lack of the technology they need.

“Apparently, when the Government handed out laptops they gave one to each family but when you’ve got two or three children this leads to fights and all sorts.

“Parents are having to share their own laptops, so once they’ve finished their work the kids jump on to do theirs.

“Some people say they can just use pens and paper, which they could, but they need the technology to get the information for their work too.”

All donated laptops and tablets are restored to the factory settings before being passed on to schools where the child restrictions and appropriate programmes for learning are installed.

Pat says that the trustees wanted to make the process of donating the items as simple as possible.

She said: “We wanted to make it as convenient as possible for people to donate, so they can drop them off or we can go and collect them.

“When it comes to quality, as long as they work that’s the main thing – we will accept laptops and tablets are welcome too.

“We have a volunteer – Josh – who is clearing them off and restoring factory settings, and if the chargers are missing we just pop to the shop and buy one so that’s not a problem.”

So far, the appeal has brought in nine items which will be passed on to primary and secondary schools.

Pat added: “In just under a week we’ve had nine items, a mix of laptops and tablets, and we’ve had a good response.

“I’m really pleased that people are responding – it’s really good.

“The schools know who need them, so our aim to to get the laptops, make them right and then pass them on in the hope that we are filling an
area where we are really short.

“You wouldn’t expect it in this day and age but there really is a need and the schools will be grateful for any help.”

If you have a laptop or tablet stored away which you no longer require, you can contact Pat or Charlie to arrange collection or drop off.

Contact Pat by calling 07913 380951 or Charlie on 01406 363058 or 07736 520953.

Two companies in South Holland have also set up a ‘Clear Out to Help Out’ scheme for residents and businesses to donate unwanted equipment for families who do not have the technology, or sponsor internet access.