A not-for-profit organisation that has recycled and redistributed thousands of laptops and other devices to the community free of charge is set to make an even bigger impact following the appointment of a new CEO.
Wiltshire Digital Drive was set up during the 2020 lockdown to help combat the negative effect of school closures across the county and support those in need during highly uncertain times.
Since then schools, charities, organisations, councils and families have received more than 3,000 laptops from its free recycling scheme which, in total, has also saved more than 9,000 electrical items from being unnecessarily sent to landfill.
It has also helped hundreds of displaced Ukrainian families remain connected in the midst of the conflict and while setting up their lives in their new communities.
Now the Westbury-based Community Interest Company (CIC) is to scale up its operations with the appointment of Natalie Luckham as CEO.
Natalie, pictured, is founder of Corsham-based, B Corp-accredited social media consultancy Naturally Social, which has supported WDD since its launch.
Under her strategic leadership, Wiltshire Digital Drive is looking to establish new partnerships with small businesses to widen its positive carbon footprint.
It is also calling for corporate partners to come on board to both support its next growth stage and make a positive contribution to the economy.
Natalie said: “While initially focused on helping young people and their families to remain digitally connected during a period of time when we were all literally ‘locked down’ in our homes, WDD’s focus is now much broader.
“As an organisation, we are wholly committed to providing technology to individuals who require access to digital technology in order to remain connected in an increasingly online world.
“The digital divide is ever-widening; millions of people across the UK don’t have the basic digital skills or access to technology that’s so vital to actively participating in daily life today.
“Our key mission as a CIC is to move technology from person to person to enable education, combat isolation and improve lives — and by working closely alongside like-minded small businesses and corporate partners, there’s so much more we can achieve.”
As part of WDD’s refreshed strategic vision, local suppliers, volunteers and new hires have been appointed to work alongside the team.
These include multi award-winning media consultancy Second Mountain Comms, which is based at the Glove Factory Studios in Holt, near Trowbridge.
It will focus on building greater awareness of WDD’s work in the local community and helping to position its impact on a national scale, while Kathryn Price, independent IT expert at trowbridge-based KSP techcare, will support it with tech refurbishments.
Natalie added: “We’re committed to meeting both the current and future digital needs of the local community — and believe that technology can be put to much better use.
“Over the past 12 months, we have witnessed huge growth in local appetite for our services. As the UK continues to grapple with the cost of living crisis and we become increasingly aware about climate change, there’s never been a greater need for organisations like ours.”
To find out more about Wiltshire Digital Drive, click here
