A Computer in every home, school and the community
Donation protected
Hi.
So my whole idea is about recycling what we have to give back to the people who have little. In a nutshell, we recycle, refurbish and upgrade computers, laptops and tablets which are then given to those in need. Those in need are low income families, schools, charities and community projects.
I advertise through a website for people to donate goods, they can request a desktop computer or laptop via the scheme we have invented. We run advertising campaigns (PPC, Posting in groups) which draws in donors and receivers. I reach out to schools and community groups via adverts online to basically match them up with laptops and computers. There is a waiting list while I acquire more goods to release to the receivers.
We run training sessions and after school clubs for a small fee but this covers any costs incurred during the session such as refreshments and equipment/tools. In order to provide money to keep the operation going we rely on donations from receivers, members of the public, training and providing IT support & managed services to local companies as well as offering remote support to places outside of the UK.
The money that is raised is used to pay for advertising as well as any hardware upgrades needed for the donated machines. Right now, although small, we have managed to ship 10 laptops out to people in the North Wales community which, using our own money to start, will helpfully make their lives easier.
Everyone should have access to a computer, especially low income families, schools and charties.
By doing this we are recycling goods that might otherwise be destroyed or left to rot in a cupboard somewhere. This way they can be used to enhance childrens education, an adults skill set for a job or for the elderly just wanting to use the internet for the first time.
I need help in getting this project self suffcient by having a stock of computer equipment that I can buy in via second hand sites (ebay, FB marketplace, Craigslist) and other sites to compliment the donations already being recieved. I also need backing for digital marketing to get more publicity. Ideally I need to interact with the councils and spread this idea city to city. By supplying the computers it gives me marketing for the IT support side as well via word of mouth and recommendations.
Lets not get ahead too far.
It is my belief that doing this will help the environment, help poorer families, help schools, support the community whilst offering after school clubs, training in the community and specialist IT support for businesses to cover any costs then pumping back the money into the cycle.
My rewards are quite limited but I can offer free IT deals such as below to donors;
Speeding up your laptop or PC,
Backing up your Laptop or PC,
Upgrading your system to Windows 10 and general IT support queries. I can also provide training sessions for individuals or groups.
Thank you for reading
Risks and challenges
Risk. Being taken advantage of by members of the public.
Mitigated. The machines provided are of basic use ie. Not high end new machines. A vetting process already exists on my site but will need to include documentation for low incomes. ie. benefit proof.
Risk. More demand than supply. Too many people need a computer vs how many older machines are out there.
Mitiagted. Buying in second hand machines at a small cost or having a stock of machines available to reduce waiting times.
Environmental commitments
Reusability and recyclability
By taking in and upgrading donations (computers & laptops) will keep them out of the landfil.
Sustainable materials
Offering green technology options with the IT Support side of the business. Off setting as much carbon as we can and providing evidence of this to the client.
Sustainable Distribution
Recycled packaging to cut down on carbon costs
So my whole idea is about recycling what we have to give back to the people who have little. In a nutshell, we recycle, refurbish and upgrade computers, laptops and tablets which are then given to those in need. Those in need are low income families, schools, charities and community projects.
I advertise through a website for people to donate goods, they can request a desktop computer or laptop via the scheme we have invented. We run advertising campaigns (PPC, Posting in groups) which draws in donors and receivers. I reach out to schools and community groups via adverts online to basically match them up with laptops and computers. There is a waiting list while I acquire more goods to release to the receivers.
We run training sessions and after school clubs for a small fee but this covers any costs incurred during the session such as refreshments and equipment/tools. In order to provide money to keep the operation going we rely on donations from receivers, members of the public, training and providing IT support & managed services to local companies as well as offering remote support to places outside of the UK.
The money that is raised is used to pay for advertising as well as any hardware upgrades needed for the donated machines. Right now, although small, we have managed to ship 10 laptops out to people in the North Wales community which, using our own money to start, will helpfully make their lives easier.
Everyone should have access to a computer, especially low income families, schools and charties.
By doing this we are recycling goods that might otherwise be destroyed or left to rot in a cupboard somewhere. This way they can be used to enhance childrens education, an adults skill set for a job or for the elderly just wanting to use the internet for the first time.
I need help in getting this project self suffcient by having a stock of computer equipment that I can buy in via second hand sites (ebay, FB marketplace, Craigslist) and other sites to compliment the donations already being recieved. I also need backing for digital marketing to get more publicity. Ideally I need to interact with the councils and spread this idea city to city. By supplying the computers it gives me marketing for the IT support side as well via word of mouth and recommendations.
Lets not get ahead too far.
It is my belief that doing this will help the environment, help poorer families, help schools, support the community whilst offering after school clubs, training in the community and specialist IT support for businesses to cover any costs then pumping back the money into the cycle.
My rewards are quite limited but I can offer free IT deals such as below to donors;
Speeding up your laptop or PC,
Backing up your Laptop or PC,
Upgrading your system to Windows 10 and general IT support queries. I can also provide training sessions for individuals or groups.
Thank you for reading
Risks and challenges
Risk. Being taken advantage of by members of the public.
Mitigated. The machines provided are of basic use ie. Not high end new machines. A vetting process already exists on my site but will need to include documentation for low incomes. ie. benefit proof.
Risk. More demand than supply. Too many people need a computer vs how many older machines are out there.
Mitiagted. Buying in second hand machines at a small cost or having a stock of machines available to reduce waiting times.
Environmental commitments
Reusability and recyclability
By taking in and upgrading donations (computers & laptops) will keep them out of the landfil.
Sustainable materials
Offering green technology options with the IT Support side of the business. Off setting as much carbon as we can and providing evidence of this to the client.
Sustainable Distribution
Recycled packaging to cut down on carbon costs
Organizer
Andy Young
Organizer
England
