Does your Sandwell business have digital devices it no longer needs? Sandwell Digital Donation can recondition and redistribute unwanted PCs, laptops and tablets to make a difference to people’s lives.

Sandwell Digital Donation is a partnership between Sandwell Council, Black Country Housing Group and West Bromwich-based social enterprise Repc Ltd.

It is hoped the programme will help to narrow the ‘digital divide’: the gap between people in society who have full access to digital technologies and those who do not.

The project team will collect old PCs, laptops and tablets from your business premises. They ensure all data is deleted safely and legally, then they repair and recondition the equipment before passing it on to households within the borough.

If the equipment can’t be reused, Repc will ensure it is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

‘Reduce digital poverty’

Bevil Williams, Managing Director of Repc Ltd, said: “Repc Ltd was set up nearly 20 years now, repurposing unwanted IT equipment to help reduce digital poverty amongst some of the UK’s most under-served communities, whilst protecting our environment by reusing equipment and preventing them from ending up in landfill.

“We are based in Sandwell, and we are delighted to be working with our council and Black Country Housing to provide much needed IT equipment to those in most need in our borough.”

“Give your unwanted IT equipment new life by donating them to Sandwell Digital Donation and give a child the opportunity to improve their learning potential and be better prepared for adult life”.

‘It might be life changing’

Councillor Maria Crompton is Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strong and Resilient Communities. She said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Sandwell Council and Repc Ltd on this exciting new project, which will support Black Country Housing Group’s work in reducing the social and economic impact the digital divide has in our community.

“Over the last year, we have seen first-hand the digital divide intensify. The pandemic has highlighted the need for us to work together to help people get online – whether it’s to communicate with others, learn, or access opportunities and support they need.

“I’m delighted that Sandwell Digital Donation is not only recycling unwanted equipment but redistributing it to people for whom it might be life changing. I urge businesses across the borough to see what they can donate.”

For more information and to get your donation started, see our Sandwell Digital Donation page here on Think Sandwell.