Webmart Bridges the Digital Divide in Barnsley

We’re proud to announce a powerful new partnership with Sheffield-based initiative Laptops for Kids (LTFK), expanding their vital work to Barnsley, the home of Webmart’s northern office. Together, we’re tackling the digital divide head-on, ensuring children in need have the tools to access their education in today’s tech-driven world.

From Small Beginnings to Big Impact

Back in March 2020, as the first lockdown began, we noticed our old and unused laptops gathering dust in cupboards. Instead of letting them sit idle, we donated them to local schools in Barnsley to help children from disadvantaged households transition to remote learning. The response was incredible – and even earned us a mention in Forbes (we’re still buzzing about it!).

Seeing the impact a handful of devices could make, we wanted to scale up our efforts. Enter Laptops for Kids, a Sheffield-based initiative that was already doing just that. Inspired by their mission, we joined forces to launch the Barnsley branch of LTFK.

How It Works

Under the leadership of our founder, Simon Biltcliffe, Webmart has teamed up with local organisations in Barnsley to collect, repurpose, and distribute laptops to those who need them most.

Here’s the process:

• Donations: We receive old or unused tech from individuals and organisations.
• Data Erasure: Devices are wiped clean to ensure privacy and security.
• Distribution: The laptops are delivered to local schools, which then pass them on to children and young people in need.

For many disadvantaged kids, home schooling during the pandemic has been made even harder by a lack of access to devices. While Webmarteer parents have seen first-hand how tough home-schooling can be, the digital divide creates an extra barrier for those without a computer or tablet.

Bridging the Gap

The numbers speak volumes: around 9% of children in the UK don’t have access to a computer, and many more have to share devices with siblings. This issue has only deepened during the pandemic, making it harder for kids to stay on track with their education.

Simon Biltcliffe sums it up perfectly:

“A donation of a device really is a life-long gift. For a struggling child or young person, access to a laptop or tablet helps them to get the education they need, not only benefitting in the short-term but for years to come. It offers a life-long leg up, which they wouldn’t have without.”

Alongside LTFK, Webmart aims to provide laptops for as many kids in Barnsley who need them, whilst helping to roll out the brilliant initiative nationwide.

How You Can Help

To make a difference in Barnsley and beyond, we need your help.

• Donate Tech: If you have old or unused laptops or tablets, we’d love to hear from you. Organisations can drop off or mail donations to Barnsley.
• Support the Cause: No tech? No problem. You can contribute via the initiative’s GoFundMe page, raising funds to refurbish donated devices or purchase new ones.

With your support, Webmart and Laptops for Kids aim to provide laptops for every child in Barnsley who needs one—and help expand this brilliant initiative nationwide.

Want to get involved or donate your unused device? Find out how here. Together, we can bridge the digital divide and give children the tools they need to succeed.