The initiative, a collaboration between Donate IT, Frome Medical Practice, and Frome Town Council, aims to provide essential digital tools to families settling in the area. These computers will enable access to education, employment opportunities, healthcare, and vital online services.
Frome Town Councillor and Donate IT Trustee Anne Hills highlighted the community effort, stating, "This is a wonderful example of community action in practice. By working together, we’re helping families access the tools they need while reducing waste and giving technology a valuable second life."
Simon Barfoot, founder of Donate IT, expressed gratitude to the Digital Poverty Alliance for their contribution. "Working with Frome Town Council and Frome Medical Practice means we can get technology into the hands of families who need it, with local support to help them make the most of it," he said. "These computers can open doors to learning, employment and essential services, as well as helping families stay connected."
Will Palmer, Digital Connector at Frome Medical Practice, noted that this distribution builds on an existing partnership to combat digital exclusion. "Frome Medical Practice is committed to tackling health inequalities within our community, recognising that digital health inequalities are an increasingly important part of that challenge," he stated.
The public can donate unwanted laptops, tablets, and smartphones at Frome Town Hall during opening hours. Donated devices are securely data-wiped, refurbished, and redistributed, or responsibly recycled if they cannot be reused.
In a separate recent Tech Amnesty event at Frome Town Hall, over 527 unwanted digital devices were collected, including 240 phones, 99 laptops, and 94 tablets, totalling more than a tonne.
