Tower Hamlets' Connecting Communities Partnership Receives 100 Laptops

100 laptops donated to digitally disadvantaged pupils in Tower Hamlets.

16:46 26 January 2023

Tower Hamlets Connecting Communities partnership, a cross-sector partnership aimed at tackling the digital divide in the borough, has recently donated 100 laptops to digitally disadvantaged pupils at Stebon Primary School. 

XMA, an IT solutions provider, donated the laptops to families chosen by local schools. 

The Connecting Communities partnership, which includes Tower Hamlets Council, East End Community Foundation, social housing provider Poplar HARCA and education provider, the Letta Trust, was formed in Spring of 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and created a digital divide affecting low-income communities and vulnerable residents in Tower Hamlets. 

Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “We want to bridge the digital divide in Tower Hamlets. Having access to digital devices and connectivity improves children's digital skills and confidence to use the internet, which has a positive impact on their learning experiences. Thank you to XMA for their generous donation, and to the Connecting Communities partnership for their continuous commitment to the project.”

Allan Anderson, Head of Grants at East End Community Foundation, said: “The Connecting Communities partnership to close the digital divide has a direct impact on children’s education and their whole family’s life chances. These generously donated laptops, together with a year’s free internet access, means children can benefit from all the online educational resources they couldn’t access otherwise. We know that teachers see a rapid growth in children’s confidence. Parents and carers’ stress levels are reduced, as it makes booking doctors’ appointments, paying bills, accessing benefits and employment opportunities much easier.”