Mobile carrier Vodafone has partnered with a charity group to urge British people to donate their spare working tablets and smartphones to help others who have no access to technology amid the coronavirus lockdown.
The company has partnered with Barnardo's, a children's charity, in the "Great British Tech Appeal," which started on Thursday, May 28, and will run for six weeks. According to The Daily Mail, this charity event aims to collect old devices that are still working and donate them to 10,000 kids and their families in the UK.
A man wearing a protective face mask talks on his mobile and waits with others outside a branch of Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications Co, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Cairo suburb of Maadi, Egypt April 22, 2020.
Amid the lockdown, thousands of people have no access to technology to study or connect with their loved ones while children have no access to online education. According to statistics provided by Barnardos and SafeLives, 700,000 households have inadequate access to a device or connectivity at home.
Also, due to digital poverty, 300,000 youths cannot contact essential support workers while 25% of victims of abuse rated their safety at less than 5 out of 10 during the lockdown.
Digital poverty means a lack of devices or internet access. It makes many vulnerable children be left further behind at school or miss vital support such as counseling.
Vodafone partners with charity group urging people to donate extra devices to poor UK children amid coronavirus lockdown
UK homes have 40 million unused electronics gadgets and 45% of all households own up to five devices. "The coronavirus crisis is having serious consequences for the vulnerable children and families we support across the UK," said Barnardo's Chief Executive Javed Khan.
Khan was delighted to work with Vodafone to help these children and families who are in need and provide them with technology and connectivity.
He then called for people who have a smartphone or tablet at home that they are not using to "consider donating it to the Great British Tech Appeal, so we can help children learn and stay safe at home."
Those who are interested to donate their devices just need to register through the Vodafone's website with their name, contact details, and whether they will be sending a phone or tablet. They will then receive a donation kit including a free-post box and pre-paid returns envelope.
Vodafone will then cover the postage and packaging costs while providing free three-month connectivity for each donated device. Donated devices will be data wiped, boxed with a cable and charger, then delivered to its recipient.
Meanwhile, if some phones or tablets cannot be used, they will be recycled to reduce e-waste and cut demand for rare-earth elements that are being used to make device parts.
Donate and help alleviate digital poverty
"Our focus throughout this crisis has been keeping the UK connected," said Nick Jeffery, chief executive of Vodafone.
Vodafone also recommends resetting devices to default factory settings, removing password and pin data as well as disabling "find my device" functionality such as Find My iPhone before donating them.
The phone company also said these devices will allow new owners to be connected, entertained, and informed through technology.
'We know that many thousands of children and families still can't access learning or essential support because they don't have the devices or connectivity they need," said Vodafone.
While the Great British Tech Appeal project "relies on the generosity of the public," the charity organizers are positive that people will support this event and donate their extra phone or tablet to change another person's life.
