Community collaboration looks to tackle digital poverty

20 Mar 2025

IT Services and Office for Social Responsibility team up with IT provider Stone to donate laptops to northwest cadets

In a move to support local youth and promote digital equality, IT Services at the University in partnership with the University’s Office for Social Responsibility and IT Provider, Stone has donated laptops to the RAFAC 1263 (Rochdale) Squadron.

This will help cadets who wouldn’t typically have access to a computer gain BTEC qualifications in subjects including aerospace and space studies. 

This collaboration aligns with the University’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. By providing laptops, the University is taking a step towards alleviating digital poverty. According to the Digital Poverty Alliance, approximately 13-19 million people over the age of 16 in the UK experience some form of digital poverty.  

Stone, the University’s third-party IT provider, donated the refurbished devices through their initiative to support charities and good causes. 

Initiative sponsor, Jenna Covell, Associate Director Governance, Risk, Compliance and Administration in the Directorate of IT Services, said: “This initiative is particularly close to my heart because it supports youth in the northwest, an area that often lacks support and funding.

“Cadets are dedicating their time and energy to develop themselves and be part of something bigger. They are investing effort in their education, setting them up for careers in the RAF and beyond or further education. Previously, they had to use personal mobile phones to interact with learning materials. The laptops will provide them with a fair and equal footing.” 

On the impact of the donation, Civilian Instructor at RAFAC 1263 (Rochdale) Squadron, Alfie Wild added: “The impact of this donation from The University of Manchester will be of great help, as cadets will no longer have to try and use their mobiles while at the Squadron. It will push us to help cadets achieve so much more going forward.” 

This is just one example of the University’s IT re-use initiatives supporting sustainability.