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Please meet Joe who was awarded a Postal Family Fund Home Laptop Grant to support his learning. We spoke to his dad Joseph about how the bursary has impacted Joe’s school work.
Why did you apply for the Postal Family Fund Home Laptop Grant?
Joe had very limited access to technology at home. He did not have a personal laptop or computer available for schoolwork and relied mainly on shared devices/limited mobile phone access, which made it difficult to complete homework, access online learning platforms, and develop digital skills consistently.
We applied for the Home Laptop Grant to ensure Joe has reliable access to a suitable device for his education. Having a laptop at home would allow him to complete homework independently, participate fully in online learning activities, improve his digital literacy, and support his overall academic progress and confidence.
What impact has the bursary had?
As a low-income family, we have not previously been able to provide Joe with a laptop of his own, so he has had to rely on his phone for schoolwork. Using a phone makes it harder to research information, read worksheets or documents, type longer pieces of work, and complete assignments comfortably. The small screen and lack of a proper keyboard can make homework take much longer and become frustrating.
Having a laptop has already made a positive difference to Joe. He is now able to complete homework more easily, stay organised with his schoolwork, and work more independently. The larger screen and keyboard make it much easier for him to concentrate, and access the resources he needs for school. The laptop is helping improve his confidence and motivation towards learning because he now has the proper equipment to complete his work to a better standard without struggling on a phone. It is also reducing stress around homework and giving him a better opportunity to keep up with his education despite our financial circumstances.
What would you like to say to other postal workers thinking about applying for a Postal Family Fund Grant?
I would highly recommend the Postal Family Fund to colleagues. We’ve used them before for Duke of Edinburgh equipment funding, and the support was really helpful. It made a big difference with the cost of the equipment and the process was straightforward and supportive. It’s a great benefit for postal families and shows they genuinely want to help employees and their children access opportunities they might otherwise struggle to afford.
I think it’s a really good to know that there is an opportunity for postal workers to be able to have access to such a valuable service when there are so many families that have children and are facing hardship. This allows us to let our children grow and have the same opportunities as other children. This helps me because it can reduce the stress during financial challenges.
