Children across Suffolk and Essex are developing vital digital skills thanks to an innovative partnership between East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), HP HOPE and Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

Instead of being recycled at the end of their working life within the NHS, 78 retired ESNEFT laptops have been given a new purpose, helping pupils at local primary schools access the technology they need to learn, grow and thrive.

The initiative, led by ESNEFT's Digital Services team in partnership with HP HOPE, has seen the laptops securely data-wiped, professionally refurbished and redistributed to schools across the region. By extending the life of the devices, the project is tackling digital inequality while also reducing electronic waste and supporting sustainability.

This marks the first time HP HOPE has partnered with an NHS Trust and NHS charity to donate refurbished laptops directly to local schools, benefiting the very communities they serve.

Four schools including, Castle Hill Primary School, The Beeches Primary School, St Helens Primary School and Leiston Primary School, they have each received ten Grade A HP Certified Partner Refurbished laptops, complete with a one-year warranty.

The laptops will help pupils build essential digital confidence before moving on to secondary school, while also creating more opportunities for children with special educational needs to benefit from assistive technologies such as speech-to-text software.

John McMillan, Associate Director of IT at ASSET Academy, which runs Castle Hill Primary School, said:

"These laptops will make a genuine difference to our pupils. They will help our Year 4, 5 and 6 children build the digital confidence and skills they need before starting high school, while also ensuring more children have access to technology during the school day. We are particularly excited about the opportunities they create for pupils with special educational needs, where assistive technologies such as speech-to-text software can remove barriers to learning and help every child reach their potential. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved for making this possible."

The idea was developed by Jane Mathias, IT Business Support Manager at ESNEFT, alongside colleague Terry Ovenall, who worked together to create a process that gives retired NHS devices a meaningful second life.

Jane said:

"Technology plays a vital role in delivering healthcare, but many of our laptops reach the end of their service within the NHS as they no longer meet operational standards. Working with HP HOPE has enabled us to securely erase all data, professionally refurbish the devices and give them a new purpose. It's incredibly rewarding to know that equipment which has supported patient care will now help children develop the digital skills they'll need throughout their education and beyond."

Terry added:

"This partnership shows what's possible when organisations work together with a shared purpose. Every laptop has been securely processed and refurbished to the highest standards before being passed on to local schools. Supporting the HP HOPE programme means we're not only reducing electronic waste but also helping tackle digital exclusion by putting quality technology into the hands of young people who need it most."

Mandy Jordan, Associate Director of Charity at Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, said:

"This partnership is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when businesses, the NHS and charities come together to support local communities. Every one of these laptops has already played an important role in supporting patient care, and now they are beginning a new chapter helping children develop the digital skills they need for the future.

"By working with HP HOPE and our colleagues at ESNEFT, we're reducing waste, supporting sustainability and, most importantly, helping ensure more children have access to the technology they need to learn, grow and thrive. Together, we really are making a difference."

The project highlights how collaboration between the NHS, charities and businesses can create lasting benefits for local communities. As well as helping children gain valuable digital skills, the initiative reduces electronic waste, lowers carbon emissions and gives technology a second life where it can make a real difference.

This is the latest success for the partnership, following an earlier donation of 75 refurbished laptops to YMCA digital inclusion hubs, helping people who otherwise had limited access to technology.

At Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, we're proud to support initiatives like this that improve lives beyond hospital walls and strengthen the communities we serve. Together, we really are making a difference.