Gloucestershire College hosted a business networking event on supporting social value last week.

The college held the ITSA Digital Trust (formerly IT Schools Africa) event in its IT and cyber suite, ADA, at the Cheltenham campus.

Punchline-Gloucester.com was among the businesses which attended and presented the ITSA Digital Trust with old laptops.

Gloucestershire College said: "A huge thank you to all the businesses who attended. We hope you enjoyed the insightful presentations from our speakers.

"A special shoutout to our talented students for preparing the delicious buffet that was appreciated by everyone."

The speakers were:

• Kevin Agnew, head of IT at Gloucestershire College, on how to avoid common cyber pitfalls in business

• Michael Collie, TV and radio presenter, on the best part of 75 years in broadcasting and business

• Emily Wilder from Mango Tree Kenya on how your computers are transforming lives in Kenya

• Claire Thayers, social value manager at Galliford Try, on how social value benefits your business

The college continued: "Ultimately, the evening was all about fostering connections and empowering conversations on how businesses can deliver meaningful social value in our local communities.

"We hope to see more companies supporting ITSA in their vital mission to provide access to technology for those in need across Africa and Gloucestershire. If you have any IT equipment that can be donated for refurbishment, you can connect with Geoffrey Newsome or Jenny Evans at ITSA."

Jenny Evans from ITSA said: "It was a fantastic turnout; we were really pleased. There was some good collaboration and good networking. We want more people to join our network, donate equipment and provide more opportunities."

The Cheltenham-based charity has donated 115,000 computers and laptops collected in the UK and given 5.6 million students and community members access to IT since it began in 2004.