A surplus of council staff mobile phones are being given to youngsters in care to help them make friends.
The donation of about 20 phones comes after Aberdeen City Council received the request from local young people.
After a recent upgrade, the phones became surplus to requirements and the council’s integrated children and family services team have been working with their IT colleagues to clear data from the devices and make them usable again.
It is hoped that the donation of Samsung Galaxy A3 phones will help reduce isolation among children in care, enabling them to more easily form friendships.
The local authority’s chief social work officer, Graeme Simpson, said: “Our aim is to reduce inequalities by closing the attainment and wellbeing gaps between our care experienced young people and their peers.
“We are proud to be able to provide around 20 phones through this imaginative initiative, which helps our young people stay in touch with their support networks, be safer and enjoy the benefits that many other people take for granted.”
Development officer for the Who Cares Scotland charity, Peter Melrose, said: “Care experienced people face many challenges, and when their phones break or are lost, they are easily isolated.”
The donation came about through the “champions board” initiative, which provides a platform for young people to talk directly to local authority staff and elected members.
