Aston Villa Foundation makes tech pledge

Aston Villa Foundation makes tech pledge

Aston Villa Football Club and the Aston Villa Foundation have pledged to provide its surplus laptops and computer tablets to help eradicate digital poverty in the city.

The equipment will be provided to the Community Interest Company Wowdot, who collect the machines and organise distribution of them to children in the community who may be struggling with access to technology, through a new project called Connect_In.

Wowdot has been set up by Qasim Majid, former President of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce. The project was established to help children who don’t have the necessary IT equipment and internet connection to learn effectively at home.

Qasim said: “We understand that the closure of schools has been a challenge for all young people. However, those from the poorest families are suffering considerably, due to digital exclusion, social isolation and a lack of mental stimulation.

“The issue of digital poverty has been present far longer than any pandemic; however national lockdowns have certainly painted a deeply saddening picture of what the future of these young people could potentially look like, if we don’t step in to help now.”

Guy Rippon, Head of the Aston Villa Foundation said “This is a fantastic and much needed project and we are really pleased to pledge our commitment to Connect_In by providing our surplus IT equipment to the project.

“The equipment will be refurbished and distributed through partners and into the hands of families who will be provided with a years worth of internet connectivity, to help children learn from home.”

The Foundation is encouraging fans and other local companies to do the same, with a drop off centre being located at Millenium Point in Birmingham city centre.