Emmaus Oxford is delighted to announce that we have received a generous grant of £14,250 and 25 refurbished laptops from The Access Foundation, supporting our mission to help people affected by homelessness gain confidence in IT and overcome digital barriers to employment and independent living.
The laptops will come fully equipped with Windows and power supplies, ensuring that companions can start using them immediately to engage in our Essential Digital Skills course and other training opportunities.
Laura Bristow, Fundraising Manager at Emmaus Oxford, said: “We are so pleased to receive this support from The Access Foundation. The grant will enable us to help those affected by homelessness to be confident in IT and remove this as a barrier from moving into employment and independent living.”
The project, led by our in‑house Digital Skills Coach, provides bespoke support to ensure all participants can achieve the best results from the course. Drop-in sessions are also available to assist anyone needing extra guidance with online tasks.
Companions attending the Digital Skills course are already experiencing the benefits. One said “The digital course is teaching me loads about IT and using systems I am not familiar with; allowing me to be confident to use these systems in future work.” Another shared “I’ve completed the digital skills course to help with spreadsheets, quotes, and invoices for when I become a self-employed roofer.”
This funding and equipment will empower Emmaus Oxford companions to access training, work experience, and qualifications, while also helping them navigate day-to-day digital tasks such as online banking, housing applications, and benefits systems.
Emmaus Oxford is grateful to The Access Foundation for this generous support, which will make a real difference in helping companions transition to independent living and sustainable employment. You can read more about our Essential Digital Skills course here.