Cornwall's homeless people lent laptops for work access

Richard Walmsley (left) said he needed "to catch up" with developments in technology

Homeless people and others without internet access in Cornwall are to be lent laptop computers and tablets.

Cornwall Council said the initiative, involving homeless charity St Petrocs, would help those without the connectivity "many of us take for granted".

St Petrocs would provide training and lend devices to people it was supporting, the council said.

This would enable access to work and healthcare services, it added.

'More services online'

The council said about 13% of residents in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in 2019 had never used the internet, and a quarter of adults lacked basic digital skills.

"As training, healthcare, and other services are increasingly going online, it's vital they are not left behind," it added.

The council said its digital inclusion team had trained six St Petrocs staff to help with the technology and there were 70 devices currently available.

Richard Walmsley became homeless after he had to stop working on building sites following an accident.

He said he felt out of touch as he had not really used a computer since school.

Trainers said the scheme would help those without the connectivity "many of us take for granted"

He said: "There is so much more that has evolved, I just need to catch up with it all.

"I just want to better my career and my life... and push on to do something else."

Melissa Winstanley, from St Petrocs, said: "A lot of our clients don't have access to IT.

"They want to be able to enhance their skills, which going forward will help them find suitable courses and progress into suitable work."

Cornwall Council cabinet member Richard Pears said the authority was keen to work with more partners on the scheme and said any organisation was eligible to apply.