"Your old laptop could make a world of difference to someone's future opportunities." - Alison Lambert, OnSwitch.

Devices will help millions of children struggling at home

Veterinary business consultancy OnSwitch has joined the countrywide appeal for donations of unwanted laptops and tablets, to help the millions of children learning from home in the UK right now.

Many children are currently using smartphones to access their schoolwork. These devices, while useful, are largely unsuitable for completing all the tasks required as part of the remote learning provision being provided by teachers.

A large number of children are also having to share devices with siblings or even other adults living in their household who are working from home. This limits the amount of time a pupil can dedicate to their learning.

Onswitch’s founder Alison Lambert said: "Like a lot of businesses, at Onswitch HQ we have a cupboard where unwanted technology is stored ‘just in case’ – too good to throw away, but no longer needed.

“Looking through it recently, we found 20 laptops, tablets and PCs that we’re not using now that our team are all working from home.

“We’ve given them to our local parish council to distribute to households in need of practical home schooling support, and I’d urge all my colleagues across the veterinary sector to check whether their practices can do the same. Your old laptop could make the world of difference to someone’s future opportunities."

The BBC has created a list of national and local organisations coordinating donations of devices here.

Some charities will be able to collect, wipe and distribute the devices themselves, while others are collecting monetary donations to go towards buying devices for pupils.