Slater Heelis Solicitors, which has offices in Manchester, Sale and Timperley, is helping to combat digital poverty in Greater Manchester by donating eighty-five computers to a local academy.

 

The grateful recipient of the equipment is Consilium Academies, a Trust working across the North of England with three schools in Salford, for children aged 11 to 16. The computers, provided entirely free of charge by Slater Heelis, will allow the academy to equip three full IT suites which is welcome relief to the academy at a time when costs are soaring.

 

David Clayton, Chief Executive at Consilium Academies, said:

“We can’t thank Slater Heelis enough for this kind donation; it’s come at a crucial time and will go a long way in supporting our academy. IT skills are vital for our children to develop in the current digital age, which will stand them in good stead for life beyond school.

 

“Our staff and children are so grateful for this valuable addition to our resources, which I’m sure will be put to good use.”

 

The donation also comes at a time when the Digital Poverty Alliance estimates that more than a quarter of young people (26%) lack suitable access to either a laptop or computer.

 

Paul Doyle, Head of IT at Slater Heelis, said:

“Access to computers and the internet is of vital importance for young people in school and at home today. A vast majority of careers require digital skills, and more and more of everyday life is conducted online too so to learn those skills and being IT literate has never been more important.

 

“At the same time, there are many children growing up without the access to such technology and that could leave them at a major disadvantage on their learning and ability to stay on track right from the start; so to donate these fully functioning computer towers is very rewarding for us as a family focused firm of solicitors. We are familiar with the work of Consilium Academies and know they will put them to good use.”

 

Paul added: “Finding a new home for our PCs not only helps young people learn digital skills, but it’s about the greenest way to handle old technology so we’re also playing our part in creating a more sustainable future for them, too.”