InYourArea works with the Manchester Evening News and supports the Greater Manchester Tech Fund.
Mayor Andy Burnham was founded last year to help vulnerable families. The second phase was initiated by Mayor Andy Burnham last week after schools and colleges closed again triggered closings.
Some have not yet received their promised allocation of devices from the government, but even if they do, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which manages the fund, estimates that 20,000 young people have no device or data to use digital access they need while schools are closed.
We at InYourArea fully support MEN’s Digital Donation Day in order to help as many of the digitally excluded young people from Trafford in the Greater Manchester metropolitan region as possible.
Friday’s Digital Donation Day will track offers received – recognizing companies and individuals who show their support – and highlight the struggles many families are currently facing.
Businesses are also asked to help in various other ways. These include:
- Donate new devices, especially laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads
- Donation of data packages, portable hotspots, dongles and other connectivity devices
- Donations from beloved work equipment under the age of eight used by Business in the Community to support a young person at school or college in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Youth Task Force Chairwoman Diane Modahl was asked by Mayor Andy Burnham to lead the campaign.
She said: “Digital exclusion has been a key focus of the Greater Manchester Youth Guarantee.
“The young people themselves told us about their fears about staying connected digitally, starting with concerns about access to resources for schoolwork, connecting with their school friends, or the ability to keep in touch with future employers.
“The young people in our urban region who do not have easy access to these opportunities are being marginalized and disadvantaged for their peers.
“Many organizations in Greater Manchester have reached out to offer their help with Youth Guarantee commitments.
“I now appeal to companies across Greater Manchester to sign up again to support the Greater Manchester Tech Fund and ensure that young people in our metropolitan area have the tools they need to achieve their goals.”
InYourArea Editor-in-Chief Ed Walker said, “Every child’s education these days depends on a connection, and homeschool means those who don’t are excluded from the start they need in life.
“I hope InYourAreas 500,000 monthly users in Greater Manchester can find ways to donate or encourage the companies or organizations they work for to get involved.”
Click here to find out how to donate to the Greater Manchester Tech Fund.
If you are a school or college in need of equipment, Fill out this form.
