15 voluntary and community groups in Bury benefited from Bury Council’s digital inclusion scheme and have received a refurbished laptop to support with their work. Katherine and Owen, our Capacity Building Development Officers worked with Ellie the Digital Inclusion Officer at Bury Council to facilitate the donation in December 2025.
The council’s new Digital Devices for All Refurbishment scheme aims to improve digital inclusion across Bury by providing free devices and training for Bury residents and VCSE groups. Each group was provided with one device to help improve access to the internet and digital tools to help run their group.
Using the devices, the committee members have been able to set up online banking for the first time, create a group email account to help improve communication with their members. Some have even been able to apply for grants for the first time now they have access to a suitable device. The laptops have also supported the groups with setting up and managing their own website and social media accounts.
The groups have also been able to develop their internal processes including record keeping and now have a safe space to store digital policy documents and volunteer records. Additionally, the laptops have supported the groups to digitise constitutions and documents for use with online applications.
The laptops will also allow the community groups to access online training courses to improve the skills of their committee members and volunteers. The groups will now also be able to use online tools to create posters and social media graphics to improve their marketing and online presence.
This initiative highlights the value of partnership working between Bury VCFA and Bury Council and demonstrates how practical support can help strengthen the voluntary sector’s digital resilience.
“The new laptop has allowed us to print pattens and projects for the members. We have also used it to set up online banking and to apply for funding.”- Caroline, Radcliffe Craft and Chatter
“The laptop is perfect thank you it certainly helps to keep all my documents together and makes emailing and detailed financial forecasting a lot easier.”- Chris, Access Fit
We’re currently waiting for confirmation on when more devices will be available for donation, but we’re hopeful the scheme will return soon.
