Virgin Media Launches a Tablet Drive for Kids on a Budget
From today, anyone who wants to help struggling families grab a device is invited to donate a tablet through Virgin Media’s website. The initiative is part of the Help for Home Learners program, giving schoolchildren and young adults the gear they need to plug into online classrooms and grow their digital smarts.
Why It Matters
According to new research released by the Department for Education, many secondary pupils have lost more than two months’ worth of learning. For disadvantaged students, that gap is worse by about 50%. With the government rolling out a £700 million education recovery package, providing online tools to catch up has become a national priority.
How to Do a Good Deed
- Fill out the donation form on Virgin Media’s site.
- Follow the simple instructions to ship your spare tablet by post – the company ships it for free.
- The donation will be handed over to Business in the Community, which has already delivered over 1,000 laptops and mobile dongles to those who need them most.
- Device life‑cycle experts Brightstar will take care of safe handling and recycling.
Who’s In Charge?
Virgin Media’s chief operating officer, Jeff Dodds, says: “Even though schools are reopening, reliable online resources are still critical for homework, coursework, and future success in an increasingly digital world. We encourage everyone—employees, customers, and the public—to donate spare tablets and help close the digital divide.”
Championing the Cause
England rugby star Maro Itoje, the face of the initiative, highlights the broader societal role of education. He notes, “Education balances society, and we must push hard to give children the tools to catch up on lost learning and gain digital skills for future careers.” He thanks Virgin Media for stepping up.
The Numbers That Matter
- Pre‑pandemic, Ofcom estimated 1.1–1.8 million children lacked a laptop or tablet.
- During the first week of the January 2021 lockdown, only 10% of teachers felt all their students had devices.
- Current estimates show up to 40 million unused gadgets sitting idle in UK homes – hinting at how many could be repurposed for those on the front lines.
So, if you’ve got that extra tablet chilling in your drawer, consider making it a life‑changing gift. It’s a quick, free way to help kids get back on track and future‑proof their learning journey.
How to donate a tablet to schoolchildren in need
Give Your Tablet a Fresh Purpose!
Think of your trusty old tablet as a superhero hiding in the corner of your living room. It’s time to let it off its cape and bring some learning magic to a family in need.
Step 1: Confirm It’s Still Alive
- Plug it in, swipe a few screens—does it power up without turning into a coffee mug?
- Check the battery health in the settings menu. A healthy battery means a happy mission.
- Make sure the internet is up and running; it’s like the tablet’s passport for the digital world.
Step 2: Ship It Straight to Someone Who Needs It
Head over to www.virginmedia.com/donatemydevice and follow the simple form. You’ll soon receive:
- A friendly envelope with step‑by‑step instructions
- Free postage—so you don’t have to pay a cent extra
- Everything you need to hand over your tablet with a smile
Why This Counts: The Bigger Picture
Virgin Media isn’t just about bulk‑powering your devices. They’re pulling out all the stops for the Help for Home Learners initiative:
- Made the Oak National Academy site no‑cost to click—over 4.1 million kids have zoomed in on it since January.
- Added an extra 20 GB of free mobile data each month for families via the Department for Education’s “Get help with technology” scheme.
Stay Informed — No Code Required
Want instant updates on this kind of heart‑warming help? Tell your device to watch for new posts and you’ll get the latest stories right on your screen.
Ready to let your tablet help write a new chapter? Let’s get it shipped off and start making a difference.
