Combatting Digital Exclusion
Leaving no child behind
In January 2021, as the UK settled into another lockdown, the majority of children and young people were expected to learn from home. It’s hard enough to study alone, without the face-to-face support of a teacher and your friends around you. But it is impossible if you don’t have the right technology. It quickly became clear to us that hundreds of Norfolk children were at a major disadvantage because they didn’t have access to a suitable computer or the connectivity required to fully access online lessons.
We knew we had to do something, and we had to act fast. Working with our partners, Norfolk County Council and the Eastern Daily Press, we launched the Every Child Online campaign. Our aim was simple: to ensure every school age child in Norfolk had a digital device and internet connection, so they could learn from home. We were, and are, determined that no child is left behind in their learning because of digital disadvantage.
“Every day of learning lost is another hurdle to climb for our children and young people. By combining our resources, energy and skills, Norfolk Community Foundation, Norfolk County Council and our partners and business supporters were able to deliver vital technology to families when it was needed. What we can achieve for Norfolk when we work together is nothing short of amazing!”
Getting every child online
When we launched the appeal, it was estimated that within Norfolk’s 430 schools and academies, around 5,000 devices were needed and at least 1,000 households with school-age children were unable to connect to the internet.
In addition, via our network of charities and community groups and the Norfolk Assistance Scheme, we were made aware of hundreds more young people who, whilst outside the school system, desperately needed access to technology to enable them to learn, communicate and apply for work.
Via Every Child Online, we contacted every Norfolk school to find out from teachers on the front line where the gaps were: which of their students were struggling due to limited or no access to an appropriate computer. Working with the Eastern Daily Press, we called on businesses and organisations to give pre-used, corporate devices to the Council, to be refurbished and distributed to schools. People were also invited to make a financial donation to the appeal.
As always, you – the Norfolk community – stepped up. Thanks to all of you who got involved, we were able to deliver more than 5,000 devices to Norfolk schools, enabling children to learn from home. We received amazing contributions from businesses such as Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm in Great Yarmouth, Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm and Lotus Cars.
Plugging the Gap
Sadly, there are always young people who remain invisible. Recognising this, Osiris Technologies and Candour Marketing approached Norfolk Community Foundation to access community groups who understand the challenges faced by some families.
From young carers to children with complex needs; care leavers to those who have recently left school; our Plug the Gap initiative identified families and young people through the Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People to provide devices to young people who would otherwise miss out.
Unlike other initiatives, Plug the Gap focused on providing new, up-to-date equipment to young people. This not only meant a faster rollout was possible, as devices did not need to be reconditioned, but also means that the devices have longer service life, meaning young people will benefit from the technology for longer.
A family supported by Home Start Norfolk received a tablet for their daughter Belinda, aged 5 who has been diagnosed with autism. Prior to receiving the tablet, Belinda had to try and access the school’s classroom chats using her mum’s mobile phone which was less than ideal and didn’t make for a good learning environment. It has significantly impacted on the whole family by reducing the anxiety and stress of the situation and Belinda is benefitting from regular daily learning routines.
“Thank you so much for the laptop that Carly received. It is going to benefit her a lot with now being able to participate better with Young Carers and with her home learning remotely especially with Covid-19 and most of it being online.”
“Joy was already struggling to keep up in class due to the language barrier and not really having any friends in school yet. Access to a device removed one barrier and really made a huge difference to the way she learns. For example, now when she comes to homework club, she can share the screen with the volunteer teacher, and they can work on the areas she is having problems with much more easily. She can interact with her teacher and classmates better.”
“I work with a young boy in Year 9. During the Coronavirus pandemic he had no IT at home, so he had to attend school throughout to go to live online lessons. Having his own laptop made him feel included, he found it embarrassing that he didn’t have a laptop as all his friends did. He and his mum were so grateful. Mum said she never believed they would own one, and couldn’t believe people wanted to help them.”