Wolves Tech Aid helps provide more school pupils with much-needed computers

More old and unwanted devices have been saved from the skip through Wolves Tech Aid and are being put to use helping school pupils.

The initiative, led by City of Wolverhampton Council, accepts donations of surplus laptops, tablets and desktop computers repurposing them for schoolchildren and others in the community helping to bridge the digital divide.

A total of 1,600 devices have been recycled and digitally cleaned by Wolves Tech Aid since the not-for-profit project began in 2021 with more than 830 distributed to 17 schools in Wolverhampton.   

Colton Hills Community School is one of the latest to benefit with 60 devices given to the school in Jeremy Road.

Cabinet Member for Digital and Community at City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, said: “Through initiatives like Wolves Tech Aid we want to help eliminate the inequality of access to digital education.

“It is important to us that everyone in Wolverhampton can benefit by ensuring they have the devices and connectivity to get online and improve their life chances.

“I urge any residents and businesses who have laptops, tablets or PCs they are thinking of throwing away to donate them to Wolves Tech Aid where they will quickly be put to good use.”

Colton Hills Community School headteacher, Julie Hunter, said: “On behalf of our entire Colton Hills school community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tech Aid for its generous donation of IT devices.

“Its continued support empowers our students and teachers with the tools they need to thrive in today's digital world.”

The latest donation of devices was made with help from REPC Ltd, a social enterprise company which specialises in repurposing IT equipment for reuse in communities across the UK.

Gareth Williams, Operations Manager at REPC Ltd, said: “This fantastic initiative plays a crucial role in enhancing digital education and creating social value in our community.

“We are proud to be part of this effort, ensuring that the refurbished equipment reaches those who will benefit greatly from it.”

Anyone who would like to donate their old and redundant devices should contact digitalwolves@wolverhampton.gov.uk 

Donated devices do not have to be in pristine condition. Even if they cannot be recycled, Wolves Tech Aid can use parts to refurbish others.

Businesses can donate unwanted laptops, tablets and PCs to Wolves Tech Aid by contacting stefan.paszki3@wolverhampton.gov.uk for further information.  

Any individual wanting to donate to the scheme can hand in up to 10 devices at any city library.

Find the location and times at Find your nearest library | City Of Wolverhampton Council

To find out more about the initiative visit Wolves Tech Aid