Five job seekers in County Durham have been given a boost in finding employment, after they were gifted Lenovo tablets through digital charity AbilityNet’s ConnectingU device scheme.
AbilityNet and ConnectingU are aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities and older people to get online, and harness all of the benefits that being digitally included brings.
Digital Durham partnered with the councils DurhamEnable Team, who is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, or long-term health needs into employment, to identify five the recipients of the devices. The tablets can be used for any purpose they need, supporting their job searches, helping them to gain new skills and taking advantage of the many social benefits to being online.
To ensure the tablets offer maximum opportunity, a SIM with six months of unlimited calls, texts, and 40GB of monthly data is also provided.
DurhamEnable learners participated in a session at Shildon Alive to assist with setting up their new Lenovo tablets. The session was well-received, with one learner expressing gratitude for the device from AbilityNet, stating it allowed them to access the internet for the first time, enabling them to check emails and view their work payslip.
Scott a DurhamEnable learner said:
“My device is going to allow me to do more job searching that I couldn’t before. It will also allow me to contact organisations of employment with any questions. It will also help with my dyslexia by autocorrecting my text and use of the increased font size for the visual aid. Positive wellbeing affects from having the device is that it allows me to stay connected with people and allows me help with my learning difficulties.”
This initiative underscores the profound benefits of digital inclusion, enhancing the lives of jobseekers by providing them with the tools and support needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
