Stockport Council has welcomed collaboration with the Digiknow Alliance and two new partner companies to tackle digital exclusion in the area.
Renewal North West and Amshire IT Support will refurbish broken computer equipment to help people in Stockport who are not online to access the internet. They will also use the recycled donations to maintain the DigiKnow Device Library, which provides free devices to Stockport residents on a loaned basis.
Both companies are experienced in recycling tech, processing electronic waste, reducing the levels of e-waste going to landfill and ensuring hazardous materials are properly disposed of. Donations are also cleaned of all data prior to refurbishing.
The Community Computers scheme, an initiative by Renewal North West, will aim to tackle the issue of digital exclusion in the area, which most often affects job seekers, those who are socially isolated and families with children who are learning remotely.
Councillor Kate Butler, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focus and Engagement said: “I’d like to thank these two organisations for their help getting these initiatives off the ground.
“These are exciting schemes that will help more Stockport residents to get online, whilst also offering so many other benefits to the wider community and the environment.”
Wesley Downs, Executive Officer of Renewal North West, said: We're passionate about breaking down barriers. Community Computers operates to tackle long term unemployment and digital exclusion, and we're incredibly excited to have joined forces with SMBC, the Digiknow Alliance and Stockport Digital Device Library to enable more access to digital devices in Stockport.
“The success of our work, however, relies on sufficient IT donations - all of which are dealt with by our professional and secure asset management service.
Dave Taylor, Managing Director of Cheadle Hulme-based Amshire, said: We know some businesses will be worried about data and wiping. We are involved to offer our security and data wipe services.
“Along with Renewal North West we are proud to be helping where we can. Schools in particular are in need as home learning and lack of kit may inhibit some families to engage and feel connected, especially during the lockdown.”
The following Stockport libraries are open and are accepting donations of old unwanted computer equipment: Bramhall, Bredbury, Brinnington, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Edgeley, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, the Heatons, Marple and Reddish.
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