We are supporting schools in Plymouth by donating refurbished laptops and over £1,500 in digital grant funding for families struggling with homeschooling.
Three schools in North Prospect, Plymouth Mayflower Academy Primary School, Pennycross Primary School and Montpelier Primary School have benefitted from the donation of laptops and a £500 grant each from LiveWest, who have moved to bridge a social divide exposed by the pandemic.
Michael Howells, our Development Manager organised the support for the schools in his hometown of Plymouth after experiencing first-hand the difficulties faced by other parents with home schooling and having the right technology available.
Michael said: “Having experienced first-hand with our children’s live classes, I noticed that children were unable to keep up, this was due to not having sufficient IT equipment and having to borrow their cousins’ friends’ tablet, which is unable to run the programs, as well as a PC or laptop does. As a result, this can leave those individuals at a greater disadvantage and falling behind. Those individuals should be acknowledged and helped wherever possible.
“Discussing this issue with other parents, they understandably express frustration at the lack of IT equipment available to them and worry how their children can continue to be educated effectively. As a leading housing association, LiveWest can make a real difference to families and the community with these gestures. I am delighted to say that one of the schools replied within a couple of hours expressing their gratitude and joy at the generous offer.”
Part of our recent response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has been to donate up to 150 refurbished laptops to schools throughout the South West alongside emergency grant funding.
Sarah Sandey, Head of School of Mayflower Academy added: “Thank you so much for putting us forward for the LiveWest grant and the laptops. We are already making plans for how this contribution can most impact on the pupils and their remote learning. Thank you so much again for your generosity and kindness it really demonstrates the #Togetherwecan team spirit.”
Tim Wotton, our Grants and Social Value Manager added: “Covid-19 means many more of our customers are really struggling as a result of changes to their income, employment or as a result of increased living costs.
“Through a combined approach, including our Tenancy Sustainment team, working with community organisations and other partners and agencies, we are able to help our customers ensure they are accessing longer term support.”
With lockdown putting a strain on people’s finances we are set to allocate over half a million pounds in grants funding to our customers and communities by the end of 2021. As part of the grants drive during the Covid-19 pandemic, since March 2020 we have invested over £300k in crisis and hardship grants for our customers and over £112k in community grants for community spaces and digital inclusion throughout the South West.