Tablet donations boost digital access for South Yorkshire charities

South Yorkshire charities are now switched on to gigabit capable connectivity thanks to a donation of devices from Quickline Communications.

Working in partnership with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF), Quickline has gifted almost 20 local charities with tablets.

Those benefitting include The Exodus Project in Barnsley, Doncaster Housing for Young People and Grow UK in Sheffield.

It forms part of SYCF’s partnership with Quickline which has seen the Yorkshire company set up two funds with the Foundation – Moving on Up and Q Futures – awarding grants of up to £15,000 to projects tackling unemployment in the region.

Sarah Herrett, Head of Fundraising at Grow UK, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Quickline for generously donating two tablets to support our work with young people. They will make a real difference by helping us deliver our programmes more efficiently and ensuring we can continue providing opportunities for those who need them most.

“It was a pleasure to welcome both Quickline and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation to Grow for a tour of the farm and a chance to share more about our vital work.”

Elisabeth Kamaris, social value and community engagement manager at Quickline, said: “We’re passionate about making gigabit capable connectivity a reality in communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, but also supporting improved access for individuals and organisations. One simple way we’re doing this is through the donation of these devices.

“Working in collaboration with South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, who have unrivalled knowledge of the local picture and need in the region, we were able to identify the groups and projects which would benefit the most. We are proud to have supported almost 20 charities so far, and will be making further donations this autumn.

“It forms part of our wider commitment to Project Gigabit. Through government funding, this is bringing fast, reliable broadband to communities nationwide, helping people get online while giving local communities the skills and opportunities they need to find work, grow businesses and stay in touch.”

The Exodus Project, in South Hiendley, is a community charity that supports children and young people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, through activity clubs, mentoring, and safe spaces, helping steer them towards positive futures.

Jack Dutton, Project Manager at the Exodus Project, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Quickline and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation for making this possible. These tablets will become a valuable resource for our organisation, helping us support more young people across our community and create brighter futures.”

Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP) supports young people aged 16 to 25 in Doncaster who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, offering housing, wellbeing, and employment support.

Michèle Beck, CEO of Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP), said: “These tablets will make a real difference to the young people we support. Digital access is increasingly important for learning, wellbeing and personal development, and these devices will help us deliver a range of activities including music production, photography editing, social media skills and employability workshops.

“We are incredibly grateful to Quickline and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation for this generous donation, which will help young people build confidence, develop new skills and access opportunities that support their future aspirations.”

Quickline also gifted tablets to SYCF – the region’s largest grant giving charity which over the last 40 years has awarded £40m in funding to communities across South Yorkshire.Jess O’Neill, Grants and Partnerships Manager at South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, said: “Alongside significant investment in community projects through the Moving on Up and Q Futures funds, these tablet donations are another example of how Quickline is helping to remove barriers that prevent people from reaching their potential.

“The devices will help organisations, including our own, to work more effectively with better digital access to opportunities and information.”

For more information visit www.sycf.org.uk/apply.