The founder of a North East PR agency has joined forces with a Teesside initiative to ensure children across the region have equal access to digital equipment.
Charlotte Nichols, who launched Harvey & Hugo in 2009 with a focus on digital media, has joined the advisory board of Tech Equal, an initiative that aims to improve the access to tech equity for children across Teesside.
It is the brainchild of Teesside entrepreneur and Visualsoft founder Dean Benson, and its goal is to ensure every primary pupil in Middlesbrough has equal access to tech equity and an awareness of what digital, creative and tech businesses are doing right here in the North East and what jobs are available to them as viable careers.
Charlotte said: “I launched Harvey & Hugo more than a decade ago with a real focus on digital PR and the power of social media which, at the time, was pretty unusual.
“Along with the traditional PR services we offer, we’re still all passionate about digital, and I believe everyone should have access to the technology that makes this happen. So much learning nowadays takes place online, and if children don’t have access to devices, it can be really detrimental to their education.”
Office of National Statistics data has shown that nearly two million children do not have access to a computer or device at home or, in some cases, the additional equipment to be able to use a device efficiently, while schools also struggle with providing them to pupils on a one-to-one basis.
Sarah Heward, chief officer of operations at Tech Equal, said: “Digital equity is a massive issue. We saw during the pandemic that some children could not access home learning due to a lack of equipment and, although they’re now back in school, lack of access is still an issue when it comes to homework or extra-curricular activities.
“We’re delighted that Charlotte shares our vision and has joined our advisory board. With her background in PR and a long-standing passion for the power of digital, we can’t wait to hear her ideas.”
It’s predicted that by 2030 the North East could become the most digitally disconnected region, with Teesside being one of the most affected areas.
The region makes up 36% of those most affected by child poverty, and some areas of central Middlesbrough being in that top 4% in the UK. It costs just 31p a day to ensure that a child has access to digital equipment in education. For those interested in donating or getting involved with Tech Equal can donate via the website.
For more information about Harvey & Hugo, and its range of PR, social media and content marketing services, visit harveyandhugo.com