Covid-19 restrictions have rapidly increased people’s need for the internet and online services.
With frequent changes in restrictions, it has become more and more important to be able to go online for so many vital everyday things:
- to find reliable information
- to access vital services and support
- to cut household bills
- to maintain contact with friends and relatives
- to find a job or training
- to continue education.
In York 15% of the population don’t have a smart phone, 20% don’t have a laptop and 9% don’t have access to the internet.
York IT Reuse scheme has been launched to change that, and get York connected.
Those who are offline and not capable of using the internet risk missing out on the benefits that the internet can offer. For individuals, this can mean reduced costs of living.
Households offline are missing out on savings of £560 per year from shopping and paying bills online, or being able to keep in touch with family and friends.
Reducing digital exclusion also helps address many wider equality, social, health and wellbeing issues such as isolation.
81% of people aged 55+ say being online makes them feel part of modern society and less lonely.
Funding has been awarded from the Build Back Better Fund, a board Social Vision sat on, to support the IT Reuse project run by a partnership including Community Furniture Store, City of York Council, Changing Lives, Age UK York and others.
The partnership’s aim is to help more people be connected, be competent in digital skills, be confident using technology and be able to get all the benefits of being online. They believe it should be their choice; people should not be denied that choice.
Residents, organisations or businesses can help by donating unwanted but working laptops and tablets and their chargers. Devices will be fully wiped (certificate provided if required) and all data removed before being setup for the needs of the new user.
Please drop off devices at one of the following venues:
Community Furniture Store
Unit 29, The Raylor Centre, James Street, York, YO10 3DW
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am-4pm
Haxby Memorial Hall Office (at the back)
16 The Village, Haxby, YO32 3HT
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Clements Hall
Nunthorpe Road, York, YO23 1BW
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Foxwood Community Centre
Cranfield Place, York, Yo24 3HY
Wed 1pm-2.30pm, Fri 9.30am-11am
