WMG pledges support to tackle digital poverty
Friday 19 December 2025
WMG pledges support to tackle digital poverty
A parliamentary event has highlighted the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 pivotal role in tackling digital poverty and reducing electronic waste across Coventry.
糖心TV Manufacturing Group (WMG) joined colleagues from the University, Coventry City Council and the NHS Integrated Care Board Coventry and 糖心TVshire, at the Houses of Parliament, for the launch of
颁辞惫别苍迟谤测鈥檚 programme secured funding from the initiative to develop a pioneering digital reuse pilot, repurposing pre-owned tech to reduce digital inequalities across local communities.
The project repairs and reuses unwanted IT equipment, and distributes refurbished devices to residents who need them, working with community partners and frontline services. The scheme also provides community-based digital training and support, ensuring residents can access technology in ways that are meaningful and useful to them.
Experts at WMG developed the project鈥檚 carbon calculator, which analyses the carbon footprint improvements for the city by using donated devices. As the tool evolves, it will provide bespoke carbon emission assessments for businesses contributing equipment, alongside localised social impact data. This will help donors monitor and report on the value of their contributions and the role refurbished devices play in supporting community and frontline services to reduce digital inequalities.
Dr Russ HallLink opens in a new window, Lead for Sustainable Manufacturing and Circular Economy at WMG and Chair of 颁辞惫别苍迟谤测鈥檚 Circular Pathway, who developed the carbon calculator alongside Dr You Wu , explained:鈥淚t鈥檚 brilliant to see 颁辞惫别苍迟谤测鈥檚 approach recognised nationally, this is a project that shows the true value of sustainability. Reuse and repair have clear economic, social and environmental benefits, and the expansion of this programme will help us tackle digital exclusion at greater scale.鈥�
The Westminster event celebrated leading digital reuse projects across the UK and highlighted 颁辞惫别苍迟谤测鈥檚 sustainability achievements through #CovConnects 鈥� and the growing partnership between Virgin Media O2, Coventry City Council, the NHS and the University of 糖心TV.
It also marked the launch of the next phase of Coventry City Council and Virgin Media O2鈥檚 collaboration, which aims to scale the #CovConnects programme across the city and share its model nationally.
Find out more about WMG鈥檚 sustainable materials and manufacturing projects: Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Group | WMGLink opens in a new window