A Wiltshire-based non-profit organisation committed to closing the ‘digital divide’ has this week reached a significant milestone with the delivery of its 3,000th refurbished device.

Wiltshire Digital Drive was established during the 2020 lockdown to help those in need of digital connection in the midst of highly challenging times.

Three and a half years on, the fast-growing community interest company has just donated over 20 devices to Ipswich-based Christian charity Tools with a Mission (TWAM), who will be refurbishing the machines and sending them to Africa to help support access to education in remote communities.

Wiltshire Digital Drive’s latest donation to TWAM brings the total number of refurbished devices distributed to the 3,000 mark — addressing a sizeable social need, contributing to the circular economy and preventing old electrical equipment from being unnecessarily sent to landfill.

Natalie Luckham, Wiltshire Digital Drive CEO, comments:

“It’s an incredible feeling to have landed on this huge milestone, and just in time for Valentine’s Day, no less! When we set up Wiltshire Digital Drive during Covid, we did so with the knowledge that there were so many people out there who were feeling isolated and disconnected from the world because they didn’t have access to the digital tools they sorely needed. We looked to change that.

Over the last year, we’ve set our sights beyond the needs of the local community to the wider world — and so we jumped at the chance to positively support digital inclusion and provide opportunities for education in remote communities through our partnership with Tools with a Mission; there’s huge similarities between our purpose-driven aims as organisations.”

Wiltshire Digital Drive and Tools with a Mission were connected via not-for-profit environmental matchmaking business A Good Thing which, like WDD, is a finalist in the 2024 Digital Leaders Impact Awards.

WDD is looking for volunteers to help it scale it’s mission and in particular would love to hear from anyone looking for work experience in an office and tech environment.  Please email info@wiltshiredigitaldrive.org for more information.