When Sohana and her family arrived in the UK as refugees, they had only the clothes on their backs and moved into an empty flat. For Sohana, continuing her university studies seemed daunting. She struggled with assignments on her phone and had to fit her work into library hours.

A refurbished laptop enabled Sohana to keep up with her coursework, stay connected with loved ones, and access online counselling to heal from the violence and upheaval she endured.

Six months later, Sohana is thriving at university. The laptop supports her weekly online therapy, and her mental health is steadily improving. She’s found new friends through local and online groups for young refugees who truly understand her.

A young asylum seeker rebuilding her life...

Digital exclusion disproportionately affects students from disadvantaged backgrounds; leading to lower grades and increased drop-outs and exacerbating existing inequalities in higher education.