VULNERABLE young people in Somerset are benefiting from a Somerset County Council technology recycling scheme.

The county council’s ICT department is buying laptops for vulnerable young people in Somerset using money raised from selling old staff devices.

So far 71 laptops have been bought and welcomed by recipients – especially as some had been having to rely on mobile phones to access the online resources they need.

Supporting the access to education for Children Looked After (CLA) in the 16-plus age group is a priority for the county council.

Cllr Faye Purbrick, cabinet member for education and transformation, said: “I was really impressed when one of the IT officers came to me with this scheme. It is a really great way to support our young people with technology.

“It has been really encouraging to hear about the difference it has made to the education journey for some of our vulnerable young people in Somerset. We have already had great feedback from those who have benefited.” 

The county council scheme started before the current education challenges bought about by Covid-19 and complements the Government scheme to provide laptops for children and young people disadvantaged as a result of the virus pandemic. 

Priority was given to deliver devices to the most vulnerable students, helping young people to continue to have access to their education. 

Care leavers have also been provided with laptops to make sure they can complete their work if they are home schooling, and to be able to apply for jobs or apprenticeships, and be more active and social, digitally.