Salford City Council gave away 200 electronic devices on Thursday to mark End Digital Poverty Day with four upcoming events in October.
The event formed part of the council’s Digital Everyone project and the scheme is open to any Salford resident over-18 receiving an income-based benefit without access to a suitable laptop or tablet.
The Digital Poverty Alliance provided 200 Lenovo Tab M8 tablets for the council to distribute at the two-hour event in Swinton with more than 130 people attending within the first half hour.
Councillor Tracy Kelly, Salford City Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, said: “Bridging the digital divide in Salford and supporting residents who are digitally excluded is vital.
“Having access to a digital device makes a huge difference to the lives of our residents.
“This work forms part of our city’s ambition to become a Digital City, an ambition which forms part of our wider vision and corporate plan for a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all.”
There are up to 1.2 million people in Greater Manchester who are considered to be either a limited user or non-user of digital technology, according to a Greater Manchester Combined Authority report.
A further 400 refurbished laptops donated by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to Salford Council will be distributed at four upcoming events in October at Little Hulton Library, Broughton Hub, Ordsall Library and Cadishead Library.
Feature image: Jordan Edwards
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