Partnership tackles digital exclusion
The devices, refurbished and donated by DVLA, are being distributed by Swansea Council to children and young people supported by social services, youth and education teams, as well as students in schools and colleges. Some have also been provided to people accessing the council’s Domestic Abuse Hub.
The scheme, launched in 2021, is part of the UK Government’s IT Reuse for Good charter, which encourages organisations to repurpose equipment to promote digital inclusion. DVLA was one of the first signatories.
Council welcomes latest donation
Council Leader Rob Stewart said the partnership was already making a difference:
“We were the first council to partner with DVLA on their innovative Digital Inclusion Scheme, with hundreds of pupils at our schools benefiting over the last few years.
“This latest donation of 200 laptops has been put to very good use, supporting young people and families who access our services, including looked after children and young people working hard to secure training and employment. This will make a real and positive difference to them, and I’m proud that the council and DVLA have worked together to achieve this.”
DVLA: ‘Helping people chase their goals’
Tim Moss CBE, DVLA Chief Executive, said:
“It’s fantastic to see how our Digital Inclusion Scheme is helping young people across Swansea. Not everyone has access to a laptop at home, so being able to pass on our refurbished kit means more people can get online, learn new skills, and chase their goals. We’re proud to work with Swansea Council on this – it’s a great way to support the community and make a real difference.”
Environmental benefits
As well as supporting digital access, the scheme extends the life of laptops and reduces the number of devices sent for disposal, contributing to DVLA’s carbon reduction targets.
All donated devices are securely cleansed to government standards and provided with operating system licences through the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher programme.
