Companies and individuals are today being encouraged to donate old, unwanted technology at Regus centers in the capital and beyond.

International workspace provider Regus is partnering with the technology social enterprise SocialBox.biz to donate unwanted technology to vulnerable people in the UK.

Rapid technological change has meant that people are upgrading their devices more than ever before. Regus is now calling on businesses, as well as individuals in the community, to donate their unwanted tech to help those in need.

Richard Morris, UK CEO of Regus, says:

We are incredibly excited to be partnering with SocialBox.biz to support this cause. As a workspace provider driven by tech, we know how integral digital skills are to the way that people live and work.

So, instead of putting your old mobile phone at the back of a drawer, never to be seen again, we are asking anyone using, or living nearby to, a Regus centre in London to make a difference by donating this unwanted tech. In doing so, you will be helping even more people to learn essential new skills.

Donations, including unneeded laptops and computers, servers and consoles, old mobile devices as well as suits, dress shoes and other interview appropriate clothing, can be dropped off at Regus centres in London and beyond. At each location, a designated donation bin will be available in the management office, located in the office centre.

Once donated, SocialBox.biz will ensure all personal data is wiped from the devices before redistributing them to homeless people in accommodation services, low income senior housing facilities and other charities supporting disadvantaged individuals across the UK.

The clients of these charities receive free training from SocialBox.biz to learn how to use basic open source software to perform tasks required at typical office jobs, such as creating documents, sending emails, and using the internet. These new job skills not only help vulnerable people find long-term careers — they also allow individuals to stay in touch with relatives and friends, shop for basic needs and keep up with the news.

Photo: Marco Verch, licensed under Creative Commons