Digital recycling scheme gets £80k funding

The #CovConnects Device Bank supplies a wide range of devices, including laptops and smartphones

A digital recycling scheme aimed at reducing electronic waste and getting more communities online has received £80,000 of funding.

Coventry City Council was given the investment to help expand the #CovConnects Device Bank, which launched last year.

The programme aims to give community organisations and charities digital devices, which can be distributed to residents.

About 2,500 devices have been provided to organisations across the city, the local authority said.

Created by Hubbub and Virgin Media O2, the Time after Time e-waste fund invests in projects that help to close the digital divide.

A total of £500,000 is being shared across the country to help communities in need get online.

The city council said the Coventry device bank would receive regular donations from the NHS Integrated Care Board and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust due to the new funding.

Councillor Richard Brown added the project was about "making sure none of our residents are digitally excluded".

“This money will allow us to expand our efforts and get more of these devices into the hands of the most vulnerable. Having your own device, which you can use every day, is something that has the potential to completely transform your life," he said.