Device Loan Grant Scheme

This grant scheme aims to help digitally excluded adults in Sheffield to get online.

Voluntary, community and faith sector organisations can apply for Windows laptops or Android tablets (where available) which they can loan to the adults they work with. We particularly welcome applications from groups who are working with disadvantaged adults.

Successful organisations will also receive a one off set up allowance of £250 per device which can used to support the use of the laptop or tablet. For example:

• provide an internet connection
• buy peripherals such as mice or keyboards
• buy additional software and training materials
• buy accessibility hardware

Eligibility

Your organisation must be engaged in supporting adults in Sheffield and meet at least one of the following outcomes:

1. Support individuals who have been affected by a lack of access during the COVID pandemic to access to digital services.
2. Support individuals to develop digital skills and confidence using the internet and online services.
3. Help to reduce social isolation and improve mental health.
4. Enable the development of skills to support employability or economic recovery.

Who can apply

You may apply for a grant provided that your organisation is one of these:

• an unincorporated community group
• a registered charity or charitable trust
• a charitable incorporated organisation
• a community interest company
• an industrial and provident society, co-operative society or community benefit society
• any other form of charitable business with charitable aims or objects that fulfil the public benefit test

You will need:

• a bank account in your organisation or group’s name and at least two unrelated people must sign any cheque or withdrawal from the account
• an appropriate governing document such as a constitution, set of rules or memorandum and articles of association
• to be based in Sheffield or be accountable at a local level in Sheffield to users, stakeholders, or residents organisations or groups with a registered base outside Sheffield must demonstrate how they are accountable in service delivery and governance
• your organisation or group will run the device loan scheme and the contact for the grant and the person signing the form must be a member of the group or its management committee

Who cannot apply

We will not consider applications from:

• public bodies
• education establishments including schools, universities and colleges (applications from voluntary organisations such as volunteer run libraries will be accepted)
• private businesses
• individuals, including consultants, tutors or instructors
• mutual aid groups

While mutual aid groups cannot apply, if they have a good idea they can work closely with another local organisation that fits the eligibility criteria and would be willing to apply to deliver it.

What you can apply for

A group or organisation can apply for up to 50 laptops or tablets (you can apply for a combination of both). We will try to supply the requested devices but what we can provide will depend on availability. If demand exceeds availability, we may be unable to supply the number of devices requested. We will also provide an additional allowance of £250 per device to help support their use.

We will not:

• provide cash to organisations or groups other than the £250 per device
• provide any ongoing funding
• provide replacements for devices that are lost or stolen

We will not fund or accept bids:

• for the delivery of statutory mental health services including any form of treatment
• activities for which there is no evidence of need or demand
• activities primarily aimed at promoting religious or political beliefs (this does not exclude religious based organisations from bidding)

How to apply

Download and complete the application form and send it to pkw@sheffield.gov.uk. The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 11 February 2022. We will aim to contact you within 2 weeks of this deadline.

We will assess your application based on four criteria:

1. if your organisation meets our eligibility requirements
2. how well your activities fit the aims, purpose, and outcomes of the fund
3. how well you are able to measure the outcomes you describe
4. if your application indicates you can deliver an ongoing and sustainable project

We will try to support as many organisations as possible. If we receive more applications than we have devices and funding for, we will prioritise applications from the most disadvantaged areas of the city and groups that have been disproportionally disadvantaged during the pandemic.

The assessments will be then considered by our Grants Advisory Panel who will decide which applications are successful.