The ‘TECH LENDING COMMUNITY’ project intends to lend tablets for Temporary Accommodation residents, providing monthly data and informative face-to-face sessions on how to use the devices tailored to the beneficiaries’ needs and desires. The Tech Lending Community Project has been partnering up with several temporary accommodations to tackle digital exclusion by providing tablets with 15GB monthly data and unlimited calls/SMS. The project’s main objective is to integrate destitute persons into the broader community by sharing opportunities and tools that only virtual and digital devices can offer.

LRF has had the experience of supporting persons of the migrant community to navigate the digital world and overcome technology barriers during COVID-19. The lessons from this experience will be applied to the ‘TECH LENDING COMMUNITY PROJECT’, which will support persons living in temporary accommodation (TA).

This project aims to reach people living in vulnerable and uncertain circumstances and offer the opportunity to connect with the digital world. The project’s main objective is to bring destitute persons closer to feeling part of the broader community by sharing opportunities and tools that only virtual and digital devices can offer.

To reach this aim, the project intends to lend tablets to TA residents, provided with monthly data and supported by informative and face-to-face sessions on how to use the devices tailored to the beneficiaries’ needs and desires. Therefore, the project’s ultimate goal is to provide opportunities and access to platforms unique to the digital and virtual spheres.

Updates from the project:
In the last few months the project has started a partnership and delivered devices to residents within Palm Cove Society, St Monica’s and beneficiaries of services at RETAS (Refugee Education Training Advice Service). We are planning to have another batch delivered in September and October, with another diverse range of temporary accommodations around Leeds!

We would also like to welcome Nora as the Tech Community Lending Project worker! Nora will be assisting in the digital skills sessions and drop-ins of the project!