Stroud Foodbank has donated 10 laptops to a primary school to help struggling families who don’t qualify for devices under the Government’s scheme.

The laptops arrived at St Matthew’s Primary School four days quicker than government-issued tech, which was delivered this morning.

The school has 15 government laptops available for families with no devices, those who only have a smartphone, or those who have a single computer that’s shared – but other families can’t afford laptops too.

“It’s an area that I’m really passionate about. I’m a single parent and there’s a lot of thresholds. If you’re in the system you get support, but as soon as you pop above that threshold and earn just a little bit more all of those things vanish,” said Nikki Clarke, the manager of Stroud Foodbank.

“They’re the people that concern me the most because they’re hidden."

She said it was important that laptops reached the children who needed them quickly, be they from the government or not.

“For us it was such a win. With kids learning at home now, time is of the essence.”

One parent who was happy to receive a laptop last week was Aimee Budding, who lives in Cashes Green with her daughter Daisy, 7 and her son Kieran, 10.

“I want to say thankyou for making it so much easier. This is a stressful time anyway, and just having that laptop here makes a massive difference for all of us - I really appreciate it,” said Ms Budding, who is furloughed from her job as a catering assistant at Stroud College.

Before receiving a computer she had been trying to school her kids with her smartphone, but it prevented them from properly viewing slideshows, videos of teachers and, Daisy’s favourite lesson, story time.

“It was getting really difficult. The school were printing out sheets but with the amount that we need to see online to help with their learning, it was just impossible to do it,” Ms Budding said.

Stroud Foodbank acquired the laptops last year from the Cheltenham-based charity IT Schools Africa, which donated them to an after-school club the food bank set up in Wotton-under-Edge.

Cainscross and Rodborough Parish Councils are expected to provide some funding to help St Mathew’s with IT support and chargers.

"We are truly delighted and amazed at the generosity and kindness of our local community, this will go a long way to helping our families with home learning at this very difficult time," said Richard Lucas, executive head teacher.

Any parent at the school who needs a laptop to support their children’s learning should contact 01453 764705.

If you think you qualify for government support with learning you can visit this website for more information or speak to your school.