Amanda Martin, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, visited the Currys store at Ocean Retail Park today to hear more about the tech retailer's work supporting local families, communities and businesses.
The visit follows the launch of Currys Tech4Families programme into the Portsmouth and Gosport area, an initiative that helps tackle digital poverty by providing families with the technology, connectivity and skills they need to get online. Since launching last month, the scheme has already received several hundred applications from families across the region.
During the visit, Amanda learned about Currys' wider work, including the role of the Currys Business Hub in supporting local businesses, recruitment and skills, electronic waste and how schemes such as Cash for Trash and Trade-In help customers recycle unwanted technology responsibly, the importance of repair services in extending the life of products, and the impact of retail crime on colleagues and retailers.
Amanda also heard about the important role the Portsmouth Currys store plays in the local community. Representatives from Pompey in the Community attended the visit to discuss their work supporting people across Portsmouth through sport, education and community programmes. Currys has supported the charity through local fundraising and by providing essential appliances, including ovens for one of its community kitchens.
The visit took place on the same day that the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, launched the Childhood Lottery report, which ranked Portsmouth as the 12th hardest place to be a child in England, highlighting the challenges facing many local families.
Currys is on a mission to help everyone enjoy amazing technology and is committed to helping eradicate digital poverty. Through its partnership with the Digital Poverty Alliance and other community initiatives, the retailer has already supported more than 3,000 families across the UK with a laptop.
“Digital access is no longer a luxury, it’s essential for education, work and everyday life. The fact that Portsmouth is already one of the most in demand of the eight sites offering Currys’ Tech4Families scheme shows just how great the need is in our area. No family should be held back because they cannot afford the technology they need to get online. I’m delighted to see Currys working with local organisations like Pompey in the Community to tackle digital poverty and give families the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. This is exactly the kind of partnership that can make a real difference to people’s lives in Portsmouth. A big thank you to the team at Currys for taking the time to talk to me about the programme today and the work they are doing to tackle digital inclusion in our city.”
Amanda Martin Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North
Conrad Evans, Communications Director at Currys, said:
"As part of our mission to help everyone enjoy amazing technology, we're determined to play our part in eradicating digital poverty. That can only happen through strong partnership with Government and local charities who share our passion for helping those most in need. Having spent time with Amanda Martin MP and Clare Martin from Pompey in the Community today, I know we can work together to make a difference and help provide families with the tech they need. "
Clare Martin MBE, CEO of Pompey in the Community, added:
“Pompey in the Community feel really lucky to have such a fantastic relationship with the team at Currys Portsmouth. Their enthusiasm for supporting Pompey in the Community goes far beyond fundraising. They genuinely care about our city and the people who live here, regularly getting involved in our events and activities. Their work to tackle technology poverty is so important in our community; where so much of everyday life depends on being digitally connected. Currys are making a real difference by helping to break down those barriers and create opportunities for local people. We are hugely grateful for their continued friendship, generosity and commitment to making Portsmouth a better place for everyone.”