Council donates laptops to support young carers

Cheshire West and Chester Council has donated over forty refurbished laptops to Young Carers Services across the borough.

Laptops which were due to be recycled by the Council have been issued to teams at Crossroads Together Young Carers Service and Cheshire Young Carers to provide to young carers who need digital support for school or college work and to enable them to interact with young carer online services. 

The Council commissions Crossroads Together to deliver the Young Carers Service for the borough and Cheshire Young Carers are commissioned to deliver Carers Breaks for young carers who care for a loved one they live with.

Councillor Robert Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “Throughout the pandemic the Council has tried to identify and address isolation through lack of technology for our young carers, where possible. With more services having become available online and technology playing an important role for children to complete their education, I am delighted that we have been able to support our young carers. 

“We hope that this extra support will enable more young carers to access online provisions, as well as provide well deserved respite to them from their caring role.”

Graeme Edwards, Young Carers Service Manager for Crossroads Together Young Carers Service said: “I’d like to say thank you to Cheshire West and Chester Council for arranging to donate a large number of laptops to give to the young carers of Cheshire West. 

“These laptops will enable young carers to access their educational resources in a more manageable and more functional way, supporting their education and attainment by helping to remove the technological inequality barrier. Thank you to the Council for making this happen.”