Hundreds of families across Trafford are being offered laptops and free SIM cards as part of a huge campaign to tackle digital exclusion in the borough. 

Trafford Council and housing association L&Q, have launched the Trafford Tech4All pop-up-shops scheme to provide 250 low-cost refurbished devices to some of our most disadvantaged families. 

The council, which is launching the scheme at St John’s Centre, Old Trafford, on May 29, is committed to help support the campaign for digital inclusion and fight poverty.

The scheme will include heavily discounted laptops, free O2 SIM card plans, low-cost broadband plans and online safety support from Greater Manchester Police.

The council has already helped hundreds of families and individuals by providing them with computer equipment as part of the campaign.  

Tech giant Virgin Media O2 is also supporting the Trafford Tech4All initiative by providing discounted broadband via its social tariffs and free O2 SIM cards with 25GB of data for low-income families.

The operator has also donated laptops to the centre’s refurbished IT suite, allowing St John’s Centre to deliver more digital skills classes.    

The Trafford Tech4All devices, donated by L&Q and costing just £60, will be sold by Community Computers at four community pop-up shops. The shops will be opening at the following locations and times: St John’s Centre, Wednesday May 29 (1pm – 4pm) ; Lostock Library, Wednesday June 12 (3.30pm – 6pm); Altrincham Library, Thursday June 27 (2pm – 5pm); Sale Waterside, Wednesday July 3 (2pm – 5pm). 

The scheme is aimed at low-income residents who are currently digitally excluded and are struggling to access a suitable device for a variety of reasons.  

People will be eligible to purchase a device from one of the pop-ups if they are claiming Universal Credit, housing benefit, child tax credit or are receiving some other type of financial support. A full list of criteria is available at: Eligibility | Community Computers Shop.  

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “It is very important that all residents throughout our borough are able to get online to help them stay connected with friends, access the internet and look for work.

"That is why the community pop-up shops are so vitally important in helping those struggling to get online. 

“I would like to say a huge thank you to our partners L&Q, Community Computers and Virgin Media O2 for helping us launch this scheme which will help bridge the gap between those who have and those who do not have suitable access to devices to get online.”  

Danny Sutherland, workplace technologies analyst at L&Q, said: “We are delighted to support this campaign, which is bringing digital inclusion to the people who need it most. The Trafford Tech4All pop-up shops will ensure that online access is affordable for everyone, and is a big part of L&Q’s on-going investment into the lives of our communities.” 

Anyone visiting the pop-ups will also get the chance to find out more about digital skills courses across the borough, how to keep kids safe online, and Trafford Libraries’ Device Loan Scheme.