We have won the Levelling Up Award for our work in closing the digital divide and helping the local community in south London level up!
The Levelling Up Awards, launched this year by former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening, celebrates the work going on across the UK in communities to help build back better from COVID19, and recognises organisations that are committed to boosting opportunity, being truly purpose-led and have shown real measurable impact.
MPs, businesses and others throughout the UK nominated organisations for the 14 different award categories reflecting 14 Levelling Up Goals for the UK – one of which was closing the digital divide. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Streatham nominated Community TechAid for this award.
Community TechAid was set up in March 2020 after founder, Linda Heiden, realised that many community members did not have access to the internet, driving social inequality in south London.
Linda Heiden, says, “We are delighted that our work has been recognised with this prestigious national award, and want to thank all our donors, volunteers and partners, as we couldn’t have done this without them. Closing the digital divide is key to levelling up and we look forward to continuing our work and getting more people in our community online”.
Community TechAid recycles donated technology and gives these digital devices, such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets, to those who need it.
The charity has worked with over 130 south London based organisations to enable over 500 members of the community to get online.
The Levelling Up Awards have cross-party backing from Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP, Robbie Moore MP, Dame Margaret Hodge MP, Guy Opperman MP and are Co-Chaired by former Minister for Public Health Seema Kennedy OBE and Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington.
