Learning & Skills Darlington and Teesside-based charity Furbd have launched a partnership to provide refurbished digital devices to local adults who lack access to technology. The scheme aims to help residents gain qualifications, develop skills and access better employment opportunities.

Nine of Darlington's wards rank among the top 20% most deprived areas in England. Adults facing financial and social barriers risk missing out on learning opportunities and higher-quality employment without access to suitable equipment.

Removing barriers to learning

For adults with financial challenges, having a suitable device can be the difference between participating in learning or being excluded. In an increasingly digital world, lack of technology access can prevent people from engaging in education, employment, healthcare and social connections.

Providing refurbished devices helps learners access course materials, complete assignments, search for jobs and build digital skills that employers require.

How the partnership works

Learning & Skills is one of more than 150 distribution partners working with Furbd across the Tees Valley. Anyone enrolled on a course with Learning & Skills who does not have access to a suitable digital device will be referred for support.

Cllr Chris McEwan, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy, said: "Having access to a laptop, tablet or other digital device can make a significant difference to learners, enabling them to access course materials, complete assignments, search for jobs and build the digital skills increasingly required by employers. This new partnership is helping remove obstacles to learning, creating more opportunities for local people and helping to level up the playing field by addressing the longstanding inequalities experienced by people in our communities."

David Thomas, chief officer at Furbd, added: "Opportunity and inclusion shouldn't depend on whether you can afford technology. We believe that no one should be left behind in an increasingly digital world and this new partnership is helping us in our mission to place refurbished devices into the hands of the people who need them most while preventing valuable technology from becoming waste."

How to apply

Enrolments for Learning & Skills courses starting in 2026 are now open. For more information, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/learningandskills or telephone 01325 405 601.

More information about Furbd and how to get involved is available at https://www.furbd.org.