IT Support for young people in the West Midlands
We are working to close the digital divide and support those in need with laptops, software, training and mentoring so that they can continue to work, communicate and educate themselves online.
It is easy to assume every young person has a smartphone and is always online, but for some, this is simply not the case. In an increasingly digital age, those who don’t have access to modern technology are at risk of being left behind.
THE Digital divide isolates and endangers millions of vulnerable households in the UK
Supporting those in need with laptops, software, training and mentoring so that they can continue to work, communicate and educate themselves online.
Digital exclusion
Lockdown has completely changed the way we work, learn and socialise, and some of the UK’s poorest and most vulnerable households who don’t have the technology to get online are being excluded.
There are an estimated 1.9 million households in the UK with no access to the internet. In the West Midlands, over 11% of the population do not use the internet.
While some major internet providers have removed data caps on broadband services, allowing more people to stay online, this does not support those who do not have access to modern technology (smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktops).
When work, education and socialising depend on this technology, those without can become isolated, left behind and put at risk.
Our work
As an employment charity, our mission is to provide the opportunity for young people (aged 11 to 29) to prepare for and move into sustained education, employment, or training by improving their employability and key life skills – technology should not be a barrier to this.
Our IT support is there to provide young people in our mentoring or training services with technology so that they can continue to work, communicate and educate themselves online during the coronavirus pandemic. Each case is unique, and our aim is to give young people the tools they need; this could be with a laptop, software or specific IT training or mentoring.
To date, through our IT support, we’ve helped young people in the West Midlands attend online classes and gain new skills for employment, research jobs and upload their CV, and continue their education online.
If you, or someone you know needs support, please complete the form below.
Mentoring and training
IT support is available to all young people in the West Midlands enrolled in either our mentoring or training services. As part of our service, we’ll work with young people to move into sustained education, employment, or training by improving employability and key life skills. If technology is a barrier, we will help find a solution.
To sign up or refer a young person to our mentoring and training services, please complete the from below.
“I'd like to thank you for your support especially during this time [COVID-19]. It has been really useful knowing that there is someone there to turn to during this lockdown as at times it can get very overwhelming.”
Renee
Renee’s story