Connecting Communities brings laptops to Tower Hamlets pupils

Key Points

• 212 new laptops distributed to Year 7 pupils across four Tower Hamlets secondary schools: Swanlea, Central Foundation for Girls, Oaklands, and Langdon Park.
• Initiative under Connecting Communities, a collaborative programme between East End Community Foundation (EECF), Tower Hamlets Council, the Letta Trust, and Poplar HARCA.
• BT supported the initiative with funding as part of the secondary school pilot launched in November 2024.
• Since 2020, over 1,227 devices have been delivered to families across Tower Hamlets.
• The initiative supports digital inclusion, ensuring all students can access online learning and develop vital digital skills.
• Deputy Mayor Cllr Maium Talukdar praised the programme for levelling educational opportunities and promoting equality.
• Allan Anderson from EECF emphasised the ongoing challenge of digital exclusion across East London.
• The scheme offers broadband access and a seven-step IT training programme alongside the laptops.
• Tower Hamlets Council has also invested £13.7 million in youth services and introduced universal free school meals and clothing grants to assist families with cost-of-living pressures.

What is the Connecting Communities programme?

The Connecting Communities initiative is a collaborative project between the East End Community Foundation (EECF), Tower Hamlets Council, the Letta Trust, and Poplar HARCA. It was created to identify families most in need of digital support and provide them with the tools necessary for modern education and digital engagement.

As reported by the East End Community Foundation, the programme began in 2020, distributing digital devices to primary schools across the borough. Since its launch, 1,227 devices have been provided to families. The 2024 expansion marks the first phase of the secondary school pilot, supported by a funding contribution from BT.

According to a spokesperson from BT quoted by East London Advertiser, the telecoms company’s involvement

“demonstrates our dedication to helping young people in low-income households access essential digital resources and build the confidence needed for future careers.”

Which schools benefited from the newest rollout?

In November 2024, four schools — Swanlea, Central Foundation for Girls, Oaklands, and Langdon Park — received the latest round of devices. Each selected Year 7 pupil was gifted a brand new laptop, along with broadband support and a seven-step IT training programme to enhance their digital literacy.

As reported by Tower Hamlets Council’s official news release, the initiative ensures that educational support goes beyond hardware delivery, focusing on skill development and equitable digital participation. The training covers safe internet use, online research, digital communication tools, and productivity software — vital skills for secondary education and beyond.

One pupil from Swanlea School shared that,

“The day I opened my laptop, I realised it had opened a door of opportunities for me.”

Another student added,

“It just really helped me and my family because my sisters could use it as well.”

How is digital inclusion being advanced in Tower Hamlets?

Speaking to the Tower Hamlets Council press office, Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, commended the expansion:

“I’m pleased to see the continued expansion of Connecting Communities into secondary schools. By providing Year 7 pupils with the digital resources they need, we are ensuring that our young people have the greatest opportunity to succeed in their education, regardless of their background.
The initiative also reflects the IT division’s continued commitment to directing the social value contributions within its contracts toward improving digital inclusion for families across the borough.”

His statement underscores a critical goal — that no student should be left behind due to a lack of digital access, particularly as online learning becomes an essential component of modern education.

What role does the East End Community Foundation play?

East End Community Foundation, which has been instrumental in delivering the project, continues to advocate for digital equality.

In comments reported by the East End Review, Allan Anderson, Head of Grants and Community Engagement at EECF, stated:

“Digital exclusion remains a significant barrier for many families across the East End. Through the Connecting Communities partnership, we’re working with schools to ensure those who need support most have the devices, connectivity, and skills to participate fully in their education. It’s fantastic to see the programme expand into secondary schools, helping even more young people to reach their potential.”

EECF has consistently supported initiatives across East London focused on addressing inequality, from educational access to community funding, and most recently, digital empowerment.

How does this initiative fit into Tower Hamlets’ wider youth support strategy?

The Connecting Communities initiative forms part of a broader strategic investment in young people within Tower Hamlets.

According to Tower Hamlets Council’s annual education report, the council has invested £13.7 million in its youth service, Young Tower Hamlets, which offers over 100 free activities targeted at personal growth and community engagement across youth centres and local settings.

The Council has also gained national attention as the first local authority in England to provide universal free school meals for both primary and secondary pupils. This policy reportedly saves families an average of £550 per child per year. Since its introduction in September 2023, the initiative has provided around two million additional free meals to secondary pupils, directly improving student well-being and attendance.

Furthermore, this year saw the introduction of School Clothing Grants, a new scheme providing £50 per child entering reception and £150 per child starting Year 7 to families earning up to £50,350 annually.

These measures, as reported by Local Government Chronicle, are part of Tower Hamlets’ overarching mission to combat the cost-of-living crisis and promote equal opportunities for education and personal development.

What challenges remain in bridging the digital divide?

Despite significant progress, local authorities and education partners acknowledge that the digital divide remains complex and persistent.

According to a 2024 report by Ofcom, an estimated 1.5 million households in the UK lack internet access, with urban-deprived boroughs such as Tower Hamlets disproportionately affected. Connectivity, affordability, and digital confidence continue to pose barriers for many families.

Experts suggest that sustainable partnerships like Connecting Communities are vital for long-term inclusion. By combining corporate funding, council-led support, and grassroots engagement, these programmes can close the gap between students who have regular access to technology and those who do not.

What’s next for the Connecting Communities programme?

Representatives from both EECF and Tower Hamlets Council have confirmed that plans are already in motion for the next phase of the programme, which could extend to additional year groups and schools in 2025.

Future collaboration with local housing associations, including Poplar HARCA, is expected to expand connectivity initiatives and offer digital upskilling workshops for parents and carers, helping families collectively adapt to an increasingly digital society.

A council spokesperson told East London Advertiser,

“We’re not stopping at secondary schools. Our ambition is to create a digitally inclusive Tower Hamlets where every resident, regardless of age or income, has the means and knowledge to connect, learn, and thrive.”

Why is digital inclusion critical for future education and employment?

As education continues its digital transformation, equitable access to devices and the internet has become a fundamental right, not a privilege. Students equipped with digital tools gain exposure to interactive learning, global information resources, and the skills required for modern workplaces.

Cllr Talukdar’s observation reflects this broader reality — digital inclusion is now inextricable from social mobility. The laptops gifted under the Connecting Communities banner may represent more than a technological aid; they are also an investment in the future independence and success of Tower Hamlets’ young generation.