Platform Housing Digital4Everyone
In 2023-24 Platform Housing ran 1,057 digital inclusion session using Computer Recyclers UK professionally refurbished equipment. These were attended by 3,932 people generating a HACT (Housing Association Charitable Trust) social value of £1,785,000 to our communities.
Platform Housing recognises the impact digital exclusion has on people in our society, particularly housing association tenants who are impacted disproportionately by the issue. That’s why we work with partners across the Platform footprint to deliver over 40 digital sessions every month to our customers and the wider community.
Our most important partner is Computer Recyclers UK who run the Get Online @ Home offer and provide us with low-cost, high-quality refurbished laptops and PCs without which we could not run these sessions. The fact that these machines are professionally refurbished also helps Platform’s commitment to reducing the carbon impact we have on the climate. Buying a refurbished laptop rather than new, can save up to 85% of the carbon footprint, resulting in a saving of around 307 kgs CO² equivalent per laptop, which in terms of rough equivalence, is equivalent to charging 37,429 smartphones, driving 1,846 kms in a diesel car or 550 kms round trip air flight, per laptop.
We also use Computer Recyclers UK for our Wellbeing Fund initiative where we offer customers digital equipment to help them manage rent, benefit claims, and work searches.
Some of our successes include:
Alford Hub, Alford, Lincolnshire
“We have seen people gain employment. Numerous people have been accepted at college, many people have learnt to shop and engage with online banking. There has been a lot of people who are now able to apply for Blue Badges.”
Centre Project, Leicester
“3 opened email accounts. 12 learned to search the internet. 7 looked up additional information on benefits and entitlements.”
Tea, Talk & Tech, Ashbourne
“Use of FaceTime, Facebook. Access and pay bills online. Financial support – banking, online purchases/shopping, paying bills. Searching for online for information. Uploading photographs for bus pass applications. Hardware Support. Use of speech recognition software. Trial of hardware before buying. Using a mobile phone for the first time. Transferring data/photos between two devices.”
Basic Digital Skills for Absolute Beginners, Birmingham
“Learners are able to create email messages to include subject headings and sending attachments. Search for information using the Internet.”
Help Centre, Herefordshire
“Learning how to online shop as not having to travel. Learning online banking – Many of the banks are closed down now. Being able to use the NHS to order prescriptions. More confidence on scams.”
Cranham Family Drop In, Worcester
“Having access to the internet, has supported applications for jobs, research into online courses and access to complete parenting support classes.”