Tackling tech poverty in disadvantaged children

Antser, a solutions provider to the health, education and social care sectors, has pledged its support to a local charity that is raising money to help tackle tech poverty in disadvantaged children in Birmingham.

The Edgbaston-based company has donated £3,000 to the Titan Partnership for its Computers for Children campaign, which is designed to help provide laptops and equipment to young people in primary and secondary schools who do not currently have access to technology to support learning.

Research conducted throughout the pandemic shows that thousands of children, in some of Birmingham’s most deprived areas, do not have access to technology.

This fundraising campaign is helping to tackle the ongoing tech poverty issue, as well as helping to make a positive impact on young people’s education in the local area.

With more than £80,000 raised to date, Titan has provided more than 400 devices to young people in need and continue to source and supply devices as they receive new funds.

Alison Alexander, strategic director at Antser, said: ‘We are so pleased to be able to donate this sum of money to such a wonderful initiative.

‘At Antser, we strive to deliver better outcomes for vulnerable children across the country using transformational technology solutions, so what better way to help support an issue which is right on our doorstep than by contributing to the Computers for Children campaign and to support disadvantaged children in Birmingham.’

Titan Partnership CEO, Carolyn Chapman-Lees, said: ‘The Covid-19 crisis continues to cause unprecedented challenges for our schools and highlights the invisible barrier to learning and attainment caused by tech poverty.

‘As a charity, we work to transform the lives of young people by unlocking their potential to achieve. One of our key priorities is to embed equality, diversity & inclusion in everything we do, thereby creating a level ‘playing field’ of opportunity for all young people.

‘However, many young people with whom we work are unable to access the online resources being used by schools to maintain an appropriate level of learning.

‘Having access to technology is even more important as young people try to catch-up on the learning they have missed throughout the pandemic.

‘We are incredibly grateful to Antser for their generous donation to our Computers for Children campaign and their support for the work we are doing in tackling this very serious issue.

‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with Antser to provide better outcomes for children, families and communities.’

Striving to help more children across the west midlands, Titan Partnership is also looking at innovative ways to make schools across the region trauma-informed and address the issues of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE).

Alison added: ‘We know that CCE is at the forefront for many schools, and we are eager to continue to promote greater awareness and understanding.

‘We hope to continue to work with Titan and offer our CCE course, which equips staff with the tools they need to identify the signs and work with children at risk of child criminal/sexual exploitation.’

Click here to donate to the Computers for Children campaign.

Photo Credit – Bermix Studio