Maintaining wellbeing without access to the digital world has become increasingly challenging. The pandemic has forced us all into varying degrees of separation and, potentially, isolation. Utilising digital devices to connect, whether for the purposes of accessing services and goods, information, or a friendly face, has become essential.
This leaves those without, for example, a laptop or tablet, at a significant disadvantage with poorer health outcomes, increased loneliness and limited access to education, training and employment opportunities.
PCrefurb aims to bridge that ‘digital divide’. Since early 2018 we have refurbished donated I.T. equipment and redistributed it to those most in need, becoming a registered charity in 2019.
PCrefurb provides devices not only to individuals thereby enabling them to study, access training or apply for jobs, we also give equipment to charities in Tameside and High Peak. Pictured here are Anzi, Alade and Baki of Tameside based charity West African Development (W.A.D.) receiving three laptops, Wifi hubs and SIMs. W.A.D. was established in 2005 with the aim of improving the quality of life of Africans and other ethnic minority people living in Tameside.
PCrefurb also regularly provides devices to: Change Grow Live, Homestart and Equal Education Chances, all organisations devoted to enhancing the wellbeing and opportunities of the people they support but reliant on technology to make that happen.
In September 2020 PCrefurb began two pilot projects funded by the NHS, working closely with key community partners - a Health App project working with GP surgeries and patients to use specific health apps, and the Digital Wellbeing Project Tameside and Glossop which supports people to develop their skills and confidence in using devices to for day-to-day activities that improve their health and well-being.
PCrefurb is continually developing relationships with community partners, charities, local and national groups and businesses to further our aim to counter the marginalisation caused by being digitally excluded.
