Device donations and refurbishment
- Expand work in refurbishing/repairing tablets and laptops. Re-distribute through partners.
- Work with private sector to collect corporate device donations either voluntarily or as a contract requirement. Businesses could also provide digital skills training in the community.
- Donate old council laptops to VCSE partners. Set up donations hub or advise on a data wiping service for phones and laptops. Organise community donation scheme.
- Work with multiple electrical recycling partners in the city (e.g., Southern Electrical Recycling or national websites) to maximise refurbishment/donation opportunities.
Wi-Fi, power, and digital information
- Provide city-wide free Wi-Fi, or in key locations such as bus stops, high streets, parks, community centres.
- Install free charging stations in public places.
Technical workarounds
- Promote the use of Microsoft Libre or Google Workspace for people who can’t afford to buy M365 licences or similar.
- Promote and instruct on how to use Chrome Flexing to rejuvenate older laptops and computers, effectively making any computer a Chromebook.
- Provide information about Doro or other types of phone with simplified interfaces for older users or those with additional needs.
- Provide temporary phones for those in need
“We should leverage the Corporate Social Responsibility angle. The council could maybe donate old tech as well.”
