Stockport Digital Lending Library

Stockport Digital Lending Library

Starting Point have set up and run Stockport's first digital lending library, whichprovide computers, tablets and phones along withinternet access to peoplewho need it, for example for online school work or job seeking. They currently have around 300 devices on loan across Stockport, around 1/3 of which are being used to access school work whilst schools are closed due to the pandemic.

If you have a device that you no longer use, please consider offering it to them. They can make sure it is cleaned of your data and ready it to pass on, so you don't need lots of technical knowledge to be able to do this. If you think you have something to donate, please contact James at 0161 494 9947 or email james@startpoint.org.uk. The team can arrange for any donation to be collected from your house in a covid secure manner, or arrange a time to drop it in at their office if you prefer.

Regarding operating systems for devices, we imagine the below criteria would be best:

Windows laptops – They preferably need to be at least i3 in terms of their processor and have 4GB RAM and be able to run Windows 10. If they aren't sure of the techy specifics but know it is Windows 10, it will still be useable but we might have to add some additional RAM, not that they need to know this.

Apple Mac laptop – 2014 or newer. This is the age the device was released by Apple rather than the year the person bought it. Can be a confusing point as we get learners who buy 'new' iPads but don't realise the new model they bought is the model that was released 2 years ago. New to them but not newly released.

Android mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) – 2017 or newer. This is the age the device was released by the manufacturer, not the year the device was purchased by the owner.

Apple iPads – From Air 2/Mini 4/Pro onwards. Needs to be able to get iOS 13 but doesn't need to be able to download iOS14. If people are unsure, we can help them work out what device they have.

Apple iPhones – From iPhone SE 1st Gen and 6 onwards. Needs to be able to get iOS 13 but doesn't need to be able to download iOS14. If people are unsure, we can help them work out what device they have.