JEWEL – a device lending library in North Manchester
JEWEL (Jewish Enterprise Work Education Learning) is a North Manchester-based charity supporting the economic sustainability of the local Jewish community across Greater Manchester and beyond. Their work focuses on helping individuals overcome barriers to employment through tailored advice, training, and access to job opportunities.
Operating mainly across Manchester, Bury and Salford, JEWEL provides practical support to help people gain skills, find employment, and improve their long-term financial stability.
The Challenge
Within the strictly observant Jewish community, access to digital devices and home internet are limited, due to religious observance around technology use.
This can create significant barriers to:
Employment and job searching
Education and training
Accessing essential services
Isaac, Chief Executive of JEWEL with a resident who has benefitted from the laptop loan scheme.
The Intervention
Earlier this year, two refurbished Windows 11 laptops were provided to JEWEL from the Digital Inclusion team at Manchester City Council, to support their in-demand device lending scheme.
JEWEL combines its device loan programme with hands-on support, ensuring beneficiaries receive a safe, supported introduction to the digital world. Acting as a bridge between mainstream services and the local community, JEWEL has supported more than 800 people each year since 2008, helping individuals build confidence, access work and opportunities, and reduce digital exclusion.
The refurbished laptops were generously supplied by Community Computers, an ethical IT asset disposal company that redistributes donated devices to those who need them most. By refurbishing and repurposing equipment, Community Computers extends the life of technology while ensuring it reaches communities where it can make the greatest impact. Their contribution has enabled JEWEL to expand its device lending scheme, and reach more people.
The Impact
The laptops have already made a meaningful difference, helping individuals progress into education and employment pathways:
“I really appreciate the opportunity to borrow a laptop from Jewel. I use it for my course work, and it has been extremely helpful and important for me. It has made it much easier for me to complete my assignments and stay organised.”
By combining culturally aware support with practical digital access, JEWEL offers a unique service to help residents gain access to education and employment opportunities. Another beneficiary shared their feedback:
“I don’t have internet access at home and needed to use a laptop to be able to complete an exam which I studied for. I am so grateful for the laptop that Jewel was able to lend me. The wonderful staff set this up for me, making sure that all the relevant programs were ready and taught me how to use it… I successfully completed the exam and have since moved on to the next level in my training.”
Providing refurbished devices to trusted organisations ensures support reaches those who need it most, in a way that respects cultural context and individual circumstances. You can find out more about JEWEL via their website.
We encourage organisations across Manchester to consider donating their unused devices to Community Computers, to give them a second, crucial life.
Questions? Get in touch with our Digital Inclusion team by e-mailing us at digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk.