UK-based social enterprise asks technology companies to contribute unneeded laptops to homeless
SocialBox.biz, a local social enterprise offering technology services and cloud storage to businesses in the UK, is appealing to the public and other local companies to ask for donations of old laptop computers so that they can be refurbished and given to people struggling with homelessness.
Peter Paduh, the founder of SocialBox.biz, has set a goal of collecting 1,000 laptops by the year 2020, which will be distributed by homelessness charity Thames Reach to its clients so they can get their lives back on track. Those served by Thames Reach are currently unable to take part in activities many individuals take for granted, such as applying for jobs online and keeping in touch with family and friends through the Internet.
The Laptops for Homeless support initiative is a part of SocialBox.biz’s overall goal of donating used, unneeded IT equipment to those in the community who need extra support.
So far, 150 refurbished laptops have already been donated to Thames Reach through this program. Paduh says of the program, “It’s about bettering our communities and societies by taking the laptops some view as no longer needed and giving them to the people who need them the most.”
Jeremy Swain, the CEO of Thames Reach, explains the benefits of the program: “These laptops will give the homeless and marginalised people who receive them the opportunity to communicate with friends and relatives, develop new interests, and access advice to improve their skills and employment prospects.”
To make a laptop donation, Contact:
info (at) socialbox.biz
Notes for Editors
For more information on SocialBox.Biz’s impact on local communities, visit: www.socialbox.biz
Thames Reach is one of the UK’s leading homelessness charities. Its vision is to end street homelessness and its mission is to provide decent homes, encourage supportive relationships and help people lead fulfilling lives.
Thames Reach runs a range of services in London including street outreach services helping people sleeping rough escape homelessness, a variety of hostels and supported housing projects, and schemes which prevent homelessness and help people develop new skills, reengage with family and friends, and get back into work.
It runs the Employment academy in Camberwell which helps unemployed and economically disadvantaged people find work. http://www.employmentacademy.org.uk
Thames Reach works closely with local communities to ensure that it contributes to improving neighbourhoods and meeting local need.
See: www.thamesreach.org.uk