Unused computer gear can help others get connected
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to donate their spare computer equipment to help people get online, as part of a new scheme.
The DigiKnow Alliance, which works to tackle digital exclusion in Stockport, is encouraging residents and businesses to donate old equipment to help those in the borough who aren’t online or don’t have a suitable device to access the internet.
Partners Renewal North West and Amshire IT Support have joined the scheme to refurbish donated redundant computer equipment.
Recycled donations will also be used to maintain the DigiKnow Device Library, run by Stockport council, which provides free loans of devices to residents who are missing out, including families with children struggling to access live lessons, job seekers and the socially isolated.
Anyone donating equipment can be reassured that both organisations will ensure items are cleaned of all data prior to refurbishing.
Councillor Kate Butler, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus and Engagement, said: “I’d like to thank these two organisations for their help getting these initiatives off the ground. These are exciting schemes that will help more Stockport residents to get online, whilst also offering so many other benefits to the wider community and the environment.
“Stockport Council will be donating computer equipment that we no longer use, but the schemes won’t succeed without donations from businesses and individuals across Stockport.
“If you’ve got computer equipment you no longer use, please donate it so we can help as many people as possible access the internet and ensure no-one gets left behind. We really think these initiatives deserve all our support.”
Renewal North West, a local charity, runs the ‘community computers’ initiative which provide training and work experience in IT recycling skills for the long-term unemployed.
To donate any spare technology, residents can drop off donations at any open Stockport library or at Renewal North West’s shop in Shaw Heath.
Groups and businesses can arrange for a bulk collection by contacting them on 0161 476 2777 or via communitycomputers. co.uk.
Amshire IT Support will recycle donations from businesses, to be distributed via the DigiKnow Device library, to families with school-age children.
Wesley Downs, Executive Officer of Renewal North West said: “We’re passionate about breaking down barriers – Community Computers operates to tackle long term unemployment and digital exclusion, and we’re incredibly excited to have joined forces with SMBC, the Digiknow Alliance and Stockport Digital Device Library to enable more access to digital devices in Stockport.
“The success of our work, however, relies on sufficient IT donations – all of which are dealt with by our professional and secure asset management service.”
Dave Taylor, Managing Director of Cheadle Hulme based Amshire said: “We know some businesses will be worried about data and wiping. We are involved in offering our security and data wipe services. Along with Renewal North West we are proud to be helping where we can.
“Schools in particular are in need as home learning and lack of kit may inhibit some families to engage and feel connected, especially during the lockdown.”
DENTON and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne is leading a drive to bring free government support to more local firms in Denton and Reddish to help them take advantage of export opportunities and to tap into demand for British products from overseas.
By organising a series of events through 2021, Mr Gwynne is helping businesses in his constituency to find out how they can start or grow international sales and get free government support to do it.
He is also working with the Department for International Trade (DIT), as part of the Parliamentary Export Programme, to help local businesses access the support they need to boost their exporting potential.
Mr Gwynne will be hosting the first event for businesses in the Denton and Reddish constituency on Friday 26 February at 10am.
He said: “Businesses have faced unprecedented challenges over the last year and I’m committed to doing what I can to ensure that our local businesses make it through the pandemic and are able to bounce back stronger.
“This is why I’m delighted to be hosting these events to give businesses across the Denton and Reddish constituency access to information, advice and finance to sell internationally.
“These events are free and will feature experts and experienced exporters who can give free advice that will help whether a business is new to exporting, has exported in the past or is a current exporter.”
Mr Gwynne is a is a founding member of the Parliamentary Export Programme where selected cross-party MPs organise and chair virtual meetings with experts from business and government.
Businesses in the Denton and Reddish constituency can register to attend the first event at events.great.gov.uk/ereg/ newreg.php?eventid= 200218473&
STOCKPORT NHS Foundation Trust has been celebrating and rewarding teams and individuals who have been going above and beyond during the trying times of the pandemic, with a special Thank You February.
Chief executive Karen James is visiting teams across both Stepping Hill Hospital and community locations to thank those who have been performing excellently and providing outstanding care.
They are presented with boxes with specially baked delicious cakes from the trust’s catering team, healthy fruit and a certificate thanking them for ‘Making A Difference.’
Gill Brown, housekeeper on the hospital’s critical care unit who has worked tirelessly and singlehanded to improve storage on the unit during the busy pandemic, with colleagues saying they’d ‘be totally lost without her.’
Thank you presentations will be continuing during the rest of the month.
VACCINATION book-ins now in place for over 70s
National regulations have now changed, and those who are over 70, or in extremely clinically vulnerable groups, can now book directly for their Covid-19 vaccination if they have not already been contacted.
If you are aged 70 or over, or have received a letter saying you are at high risk, then you can book an appointment online.
Go to the NHS.UK website and go to ‘vaccinations’ for the online link.
For those unable to book online, you can instead call 119 on your phone, free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.
For those not in these categories, please wait until the next phase of the vaccination programme before making any enquiries. Whether you are over 70 or not, please do not contact the Stepping Hill Hospital switchboard for any vaccination queries as they will not be able to assist with this.