Digital exclusion creates and deepens social and economic inequalities. In 2024, the Centre for Social Justice found that 29% of those excluded were of working age and up to 42% of those on low incomes. Not only are individuals who lack access to the internet, digital devices or the skills to use them, effectively excluded from many opportunities and essential services including education, employment and social participation, they are also burdened with a ‘digital poverty premium’. They pay more for basic goods and services than necessary - as limited digital access makes it harder for them to reach the best deals - paying up to 25% more for items such as insurance, phones and food. 

 

Yet Virgin Media O2 in 2025 reported 92 million devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches, consoles, etc.) have been thrown away in the last five years. 79% of people admit to binning devices with general rubbish, despite 65% saying they understand the environmental impact. 74% of households have held onto unwanted tech for at least five years. 

 

This is why Reaching People launched the Refurb IT project to reduce digital exclusion in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and address the environmental impact of technological waste. 

 

The charity manages the recycling of IT equipment donated by local businesses, organisations and individuals, securely and safely cleansing the data and refurbishing the devices before distributing them via partner charities to those individuals who would otherwise be digitally excluded, together with data and access to skills support. 

 

The Refurb IT project has been overwhelmingly successful so far: 

 

However, to extend the project beyond the current course of funding, we are reaching out to local businesses and the wider community to raise awareness, encourage corporate sponsorship, and promote direct engagement through donations of funds, devices or technical expertise.