Award: Community Hero, Brighton & Hove Business Awards, 2021
Winner: Rob Harlow, Co-founder & CTO, SoPro Group
Location: Brighton, UK
Success: Recognized for launching Level Up Laptops, providing refurbished devices to students lacking access during the COVID-19 lockdown
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the shift to remote learning exposed a significant digital divide.
Many school students in Brighton lacked access to necessary devices, hindering their education.
Recognising this urgent issue, Rob Harlow sought to make a tangible difference in his community.
🧠 Level Up Laptops Initiative
In response to the digital divide, Rob co-founded the Level Up Laptops campaign.
This initiative aimed to collect, refurbish, and distribute laptops to students in need across Brighton.
Collaborating with local organizations like the Tarner Community Project and Tech-Takeback, the campaign successfully provided over 150 refurbished devices to schools such as Carlton Hill and St Luke’s Primary Schools.
Rob's efforts through Level Up Laptops were recognized with the Community Hero award at the Brighton & Hove Business Awards 2021.
This accolade not only honoured his commitment to addressing educational inequalities but also highlighted the impact one individual can have during challenging times.
✅ Community Impact: Demonstrated how targeted initiatives can address systemic issues like the digital divide.
✅ Leadership: Showcased Rob's proactive approach to problem-solving and community engagement.
✅ Recognition: The award served as a testament to the positive change achievable through collaboration and dedication.
If you're inspired by Rob's story and want to create impactful initiatives in your community, let's connect. Together, we can develop strategies that drive meaningful change.
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