Benefits 

Social Benefits - Digital Inclusion, employment & skills

• Community Computers works in partnership with Manchester City Council to support digitally excluded families and individuals to access low-cost or free devices such as laptops, PCs and mobile phones so they can get online and access essential services.

• Collaboratively working with our partners, we will be able to signpost beneficiaries to access further digital support.  

• Our operations provide employment, work experience and training to long-term unemployed individuals that have experienced multiple barriers to regain work

Environmental Benefits - Reuse, recycle & responsible disposal 

• Reuse - The average laptop creates 331KG of carbon and 85% of that is from manufacturing process itself.  For every 100 laptops donated,  will not only support 100 households get online, but will prevent a surplus of 33,000KG in carbon emissions from the reuse and redistribution of tech as to the manufacturing of new equipment

• Recycle - We work with an AATF approved authorized treatment facility to recycle precious metals and prevent hazardous materials going to landfill.

• Responsible, regulated and licensed disposal - We are licensed waste carriers and registered with the Environment Agency; we ensure all of the hazardous materials inside your computers (mercury & gasses) are properly disposed of in accordance with WEEE regulations.

 Device Timeline

Data Security - Secure Transportation and Storage reassurance 

• We offer a professional service with secure collection, transportation and storage of all technology. Items remain locked in security cages and secured behind a coded entry system - all devices are photographed, logged and tracked with an asset tag.

• Destruction of data or devices takes place within 48 hours from arrival at our destruction centre.

Data Destruction

• We provide secure data destruction for all donated devices, using ATA secure erase methods (where supported) with proof of destruction proceeded as a detailed report

• SSD drives are professionally data wiped using industry leading data wiping technology from Certus

• Certus data wiping software performs an encrypted ATA secure data erasure to the entire SSD (where the device firmware supports it) or a US DoD 5220.22-M 3 pass overwrite to the entire drive (where ATA secure wipe isn’t supported

• Conforms to international standard US DoD standard 5220.22-M and supports British HMG IS5 Baseline and British HMG IS5 Enhanced

Physical Destruction

• We provide physical destruction of SDD, HDD and other magnetic based media can also be carried out with their data crunch 250 and degausser.  Drives are recorded into a database; with serial numbers and the asset tag of the machine they came from.

• Hard drives are degaussed with a powerful degaussing machine to totally destroy all the data. They are then physically snapped with a purpose-built crushing machine.  Platters are broken into multiple pieces and the control board snapped beyond use.

• SSDs are crushed with a device that penetrates all SSD data chips rendering the data destroyed.

• Each method produces a certificate of destruction detailing what was destroyed, how, when and by whom. This is produced for every device via our auditing software system.

Donation process - How to Donate a device

• Tech that can be donated - Desktop Computers, Laptops, iPhone, iPads, Smart Phones, Tablets, Scanners, Cameras, Networking Peripherals (switches, patch panels, cabinets, power supplies), Servers.

• Drop off your device local to you - Devices can be dropped off at any Manchester City library or directly at Renewal North West, 61-63 Shaw Heath, Stockport, SK3 8BH

• Collections - Tech donations can be arranged directly on 0161 476 2777; at tech@renewal-nw.com and more information can be found at  www.communitycomputers.co.uk 

Purchase process - How to access low-cost tech

• Our devices are for residents in Manchester City, Trafford and Stockport struggling to access affordable technology  (eligibility criteria found here) – all devices through us are £60 and include a lifetime Office license.

You can access low-cost tech by:

Calling 0161 476 2777

Visiting the online shop at https://shop.communitycomputers.co.uk/

Emailing tech@renewal-nw.com

Partner Profile

Community Computers

About us

Community Computers is an emerging not-for-profit digital inclusion initiative ran by registered charity, Renewal North West (1145056). The project works in partnership with the digital inclusion teams within Manchester City Council, Trafford Council and Stockport Council to tackle digital exclusion.

Operated by a small team and volunteer group to repair, refurbish and re-use donated tech, we are able to provide fully licensed devices with support into the community at low-cost or at no cost to support disadvantaged families and individuals to get online. Operations allow us to upskill those with complex and multiple barriers to employment within the tech industry and further allows us to support education and community centres with free digital technology. 

It also allows us to support the reduction of carbon emissions, reduces the amount of e-waste going to landfill and ensures all tech donated is either repaired or reused and hazardous materials are disposed of properly. 

Digital Inclusion

Community Computers now supports some 500 digitally excluded households each year across Manchester City, Stockport and Trafford to access free or low cost devices such as laptops, PCs and mobile phones so that they can get online and access essential services.  Collaboratively working with our partners, we will be able to signpost beneficiaries to access further digital support.  

54% of beneficiaries completing our survey last year said they will use their device to access Government support such as benefit support; 53% said they will use their device for school, college or University. 

Impact

Brenda’s story:

“Just jump in – you’ve got nothing to lose”

I am 62 years of age and have taken a long time to pluck up the courage to start the journey of being able to use computers. For a long time I made excuses; I’m too old, I can’t afford it, I’m not clever enough and people will think that I am stupid. I knew when my health deteriorated that I had to do something. I was living on my own, I began to feel isolated and unable to keep track of my various medical appointments. A friend told me about a computer group for beginners that meets in my local library.

I knew I had to find the courage to go along, and so I did. Since joining I haven’t looked back. Such a lovey and helpful a group who enjoy a chat, a cup of tea and a biscuit, and who help each other to learn; I haven’t felt stupid once. I have made new friends and we ring each other when we need help. I knew early on that I wanted to buy my own computer so that I could carry on my learning, and practice what we had been taught in the group. The group told me I could get a good computer at low cost from Community Computers. The staff at Community Computers were so helpful and I ended buying both a laptop and a smart phone at such an affordable price; I struggle with my walking and so I purchased a lightweight laptop that is able to do everything I need. I can now write letters, send emails, check on all my medical appointments, use the internet, and occasionally do some online shopping! My health has improved, I have made new friends, feel more confident and connected, and now wonder why I didn’t start this journey years ago.

So in answer to the question, ”what would you say to someone who was thinking of learning how to use a computer?” I would say, “Just jump in – you’ve got nothing to lose