More than 1,700 brand-new laptops have reached Brent’s schoolchildren, foster carers, and care leavers since 2021, transforming how families learn, connect, and thrive in the digital age.
Brent’s digital inclusion drive, launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, has already provided 4,500 devices to residents in need. From Acer and Asus laptops to Chromebooks, tablets, and refurbished smartphones, the initiative is helping families get connected and stay online.
Brent is also tackling digital poverty through the National Databank scheme, led by the Good Things Foundation. Thanks to this initiative, more than 400 free SIM cards loaded with data, minutes, and texts have been given to residents struggling with costs. The council is also working with broadband providers to offer free internet access wherever possible, helping ensure people can stay connected without facing extra financial pressure.
Around half of Brent’s schools have benefitted from the initiative, which continues to remove barriers to digital learning and opportunity. Through the Digital Residents Support Fund, more than 2,500 laptops and tablets have been distributed directly to residents on low incomes or with savings under £6,000, helping them access work, education, and vital online services. In May 2025, a survey of device recipients revealed that the scheme is effectively narrowing the digital divide for people of all ages. Feedback shows increased digital literacy and improved access to education and essential services for both students and older adults.
Kara Joseph, Deputy Headteacher of St Robert Southwell School in Kingsbury, said: “Receiving free tablets with keyboards has had a hugely positive impact on our pupils and their families. Many children who were previously attempting to complete online homework on mobile phones now have access to a larger screen and more suitable device, improving the quality of their work and confidence in learning. Families have expressed enormous gratitude for this support, saying it’s reduced stress at home and helped children achieve more.”
