SINCE the start of the pandemic, logging on for lessons and submitting work electronically have become second nature to an entire cohort of young people; and a complete overhaul of how to deliver an education to them became necessary. Even now, many of those teaching and learning methods remain in place, with the lingering possibility of further restrictions ever present.
But what do you do if you're a child or young person without access to the right technology?
This question prompted Ja Reed from EnterIT and Chris Powlay, from Ladies of Steel, to develop the #CompsforKids initiative, taking unwanted or older model laptops and tablets and refurbishing them for use by our borough's youngsters – all voluntarily.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Ja and Chris have been supported by the Council, RCVDA and several other local businesses, who have donated both brand new and pre-used devices; plus many hundreds have been kindly donated by members of the public at various drop off points around the Borough.
The pre-used donated devices have had all data wiped and the hard drives destroyed for security reasons, then been fully refurbished for school and college age children across Redcar and Cleveland, including looked-after children, those who are home educated and NEETs (not in education, employment or training), for whom access to technology is equally important in seeking out and applying for opportunities.
The majority of the schools' 'wishlists' have now been covered but the Council and the team at Comps for Kids continue to take referrals from schools for individual pupils, with Comps for Kids supplying machines to new into-care children, more home schoolers and even a child who lost everything in a fire recently.
Comps for Kids' work has been recognised by Councillor Karen King, who nominated them for a BBC Radio Tees 50 Stars of Teesside award – which they went on to win.
Karen said, “I was so delighted to hear that Ja and Chris had been acknowledged for setting up this initiative and working so hard in their spare time to ensure children without access to the technology needed to complete their schoolwork were able to do so. Both are very busy and have sacrificed time with their own families and businesses to make sure no child goes without, and I know this has been of great benefit to many local children and their families. They are both true community champions and also very modest, as they did this due to seeing an immediate need, rather than for the praise I believe they so richly deserve. Without Ja's expertise and hard work, this initiative would never have taken off and Chris and I would both like to thank him for going above and beyond."
Chris Powlay said, “The initiative started small, hoping to help a couple of people locally. Thanks to a superb team, Ja Reed doing all the technical work and Karen working tirelessly to appeal for and collect devices, and get us the relevant contacts. It has snowballed and we have been able to help hundreds of children."
Ja Reed commented: “It all started nearly a year ago when Chris called to ask if I could refurbish a few laptops to give out to kids who didn't have one. We put out an appeal thinking maybe we would get ten or twelve done and involved Councillor Karen King as our long-standing friend to help, and before we knew what was happening we had between fifty and sixty laptops donated by the public through social media posts under the #compsforkids appeal.
“Local councillors and businesses soon got involved as well as local radio and it just grew from there. For my part, it's very humbling just seeing the relief and delight on the kids' faces knowing they don't have to worry about trying to get their homework done on a tiny mobile phone screen and can feel included like the rest of the class. We all just want to help the kids the best we can, from me giving my time to refurbish the devices and Karen and Chris organising the collections and fund raising – it's been an absolute pleasure to do our bit for our community. As long as there is a need for #compsforkids, I may well be under a pile of laptops for a while yet!"
A side initiative has since been developed, whereby devices - too old to upgrade to a standard for school pupils - are instead upgraded to an operating system known as 'Linux' and given to foster carers and community groups – giving them a useful new life and preventing them from going into landfill.
Comps for Kids are appealing now for more of your old devices and laptop bags, which may be replaced by shiny new kit at Christmas time.
If you have a laptop, bag or tablet that you could donate, please help our children and young people by contacting EnterIT, Marske and New Marske Community Information Group or the Ladies of Steel via their Facebook pages, or you can call Karen King on 07500 606894.
Thank you.