Wiltshire digital divide charity refurbishes 3,000 laptops

Established during the 2020 lockdown, Wiltshire Digital Drive has now delivered 3,000 refurbished laptops

A non-profit company committed to closing the digital divide has reached a "huge milestone", says its CEO.

Established during the 2020 lockdown, Wiltshire Digital Drive has now delivered 3,000 refurbished laptops.

Its latest donation includes 20 devices to Tools with a Mission (TWAM), which will then be sent to Africa.

Wiltshire Digital Drive CEO, Natalie Luckham said it was "an incredible feeling to have landed on this huge milestone."

The company refurbishes disused laptops to loan out to those who do not have access to technology at home or at their place of learning.

Ms Luckham said: "When we set up Wiltshire Digital Drive during Covid, we did so with the knowledge that there were so many people out there who were feeling isolated and disconnected from the world because they didn't have access to the digital tools they sorely needed.

"Over the last year, we've set our sights beyond the needs of the local community to the wider world — and so we jumped at the chance to positively support digital inclusion and provide opportunities for education in remote communities through our partnership with Tools with a Mission."

Schools are able to apply on behalf of their students, while charities and community organisations can apply to help carry out the work with those families they support.

Wiltshire Digital Drive and Ipswich-based TWAM, who collect, refurbish and then send usable tools to developing countries, were connected via not-for-profit environmental matchmaking business A Good Thing which, like WDD, is a finalist in the 2024 Digital Leaders Impact Awards.