You may have seen in the press that lots of families are struggling with online learning during lockdown with no computers or using phones to access work. This is the case across Staffordshire and one local business has made contact with their local school to try and help by donating their old laptops.

Optima Warehouse Solutions, sben members based in Stafford, having recently upgraded their staffs laptops, decided they could help and Chris Roberts, Optima Managing Director delivered seven laptops to their local school – Sir Graham Balfour High School. These will be checked by the school and the software pupils need to access online learning will loaded on to them, ready to be delivered to pupils early next week.

Mrs Metcalfe Senior Assistant Headteacher at Sir Graham Balfour High School explained “this would really help the families which will received them, each laptop donated means that one more child or family will be able to home school effectively, some families with 2 or 3 children are currently trying to work sharing a single mobile phone for school work which is a real challenge”.

More laptops are desperately needed by the school and other local schools, if you have old laptops that you don’t need any more and could consider donating please contact sben via email or call Tel: 07890 600414

What we are looking for
If you have a laptop but are not sure whether it is the right specification, here is a checklist for you:

1. It needs to be in a serviceable condition, (short battery life is fine so long as it works when plugged in)
2. It should be able to support Windows 10
3. Requires a working Screen, Web Cam, Microphone and Speaker.
4. If it is good enough to run Zoom or Teams it will be suitable.

We recommend that you remove any personal data and information before donating anything. We are unable to advise on specific tech information for your device. The National Cyber Security Centre website has information on how to erase the data or the school will be able to help.