Refurb IT
Reaching People charity is on a mission to connect your old devices with people in your community who need it. Many people have dreams and ambitions, but all too often these are thwarted by the simple fact that they don’t have digital access and cannot afford to buy a device. Life without a laptop, tablet or smartphone… unimaginable?
It’s unimaginable for most but a reality for many in Leicester and Leicestershire who don’t have a device, the data or the skills to use it.
Having these 3 things, make daily challenges easy like accessing services or a bank account and create all kinds of opportunities and possibilities like finding work, studying online, taking up a hobby or using simply connecting with others through whatsapp. Refurb IT is tackling digital exclusion, through a green, circular economy. We extend the life of personal devices by saving them from gathering dust or worse still, ending up in landfill; refurbishing and donating them to people who need them the most.
We encourage individuals, organisations and businesses to donate their unwanted laptops, tablets and smartphones, which we, at no cost, refurbish. The device then is delivered into the hands of those who need it most through local charities and partners who support digitally excluded individuals and communities. The project is funded by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and supported by De Montfort University. Help the planet and the most disadvantaged achieve their ambitions. It’s a win-win.
"Samworth Brothers are proud to support the Refurb IT project, through a donation of refurbished laptops, in a bid to tackle digital exclusion within communities in Leicester city."
Karen Holdsworth, Community Engagement Lead at Samworth Brothers
Donate a Device
Reaching People charity is on a mission to connect your old devices with people in your community who need it. Many people have dreams and ambitions, but all too often these are thwarted by the simple fact that they don’t have digital access and cannot afford to buy a device.
We welcome donations of unused electronic devices from people, companies, and other organizations...
Request a Device
Refurb IT goal is to promote a circular economy; extend the life of device by saving it from landfill and recycling; raise awareness among businesses and the community and tackle digital exclusion. To achieve this, Refurb IT collects unwanted but useable personal devices (laptops, tables and smartphones) securely wipes the data, installs a new operating system and then donates the refurbished devices...
Refurbish, Reuse and Recycle
At Refurb IT, we are committed to promoting sustainable practices in our operations, and this includes our reuse, refurbish and recycling process for donated electronic devices. Our goal is to extend the life of these devices by refurbishing them for reuse whenever possible, and when that is not possible, we recycle them in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive...
Changing Lives
Over the duration of the project, Reaching People received 230 donations, ahead of its target of 100; with 107 devices refurbished ahead of its target of 90; and referrals came from 31 support workers and 15 organisations.
Feedback from the recipients of the refurbished devices revealed that:
229 increased digital skills
109 increased financial skills
94 increased connections
71 increased work opportunities
“The Refurb IT project was a shining example of how businesses and organisations can directly contribute to make an immediate, significant and positive impact on the lives of those who find themselves digitally-excluded, otherwise.
“It was a ‘win-win’ situation for all parties - we took donations and refurbished them at no cost, enabling the businesses donating to take practical climate action, changing the lives of the people who were supported, and building essential skills for the Leicester and Leicestershire economy.
“We’d like to thank the LLEP for funding this amazing project and for all of the individual donors for passing on their equipment to refurbish. It’s made a tangible difference to the lives of local individuals.”
Sangeeta Patel, Joint CEO of Reaching People
The delivery of the refurbished devices to people in need across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has made a significant impact on their lives. Feedback on some of the ways in which the technology has helped users include:
"I am able to keep in touch with my family using video."
"I feel like a real member of my community"
"I am able to job search and apply for jobs."
"It has made me feel more confident about my future."
“I cannot work, but I have looked for volunteering opportunities.”
“I am using the device to help with my mental health.”
“I am enrolled onto ICT course with Leicester College to improve my digital skills.”
“I also use the laptop to complete assignments and carry out research for my construction course and ESOL course. Being able to use YouTube to support my learning in ESOL has really helped.”
Thanking Our Donors
Refurb IT has welcomed equipment from 17 individuals plus business donors throughout the project including:
Triumph Motorcycles
Joules
Leicester Adult Education (LASALS)
DMU Alumni
All Truck
Cambridge and Counties Bank
Good Things Foundation
Samworth Brothers
Leicester Community Advice and Law Centre
Merrydale Infant School
Trade Sexual Health
Co-op
Leicestershire Cares
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicester City Council
The Bridge Homeless to Hope
Action Homeless
Women’s Aid Leicestershire
The Coalville Computer Nerd
People Dancing
One Roof Leicester
Active Together
Keeping the Project Going
Refurb IT has made a massive impact, so the Reaching People team is now looking for new funding and ways to continue to on its mission to fight digital exclusion.
Reaching People is looking at new and different ways in which it can partner with local businesses to take this forward. If you can help, please get in touch on 0116 255 2071 or via email at admin@reachingpeople.co.uk.
Refurb IT: 07737 213477
or refurbit@reachingpeople.co.uk
