Reboot North Yorkshire operates by taking in laptop computers and other devices no longer needed by their owners and refurbishing them before they are distributed to those in need.
The scheme can also reuse other devices including mobile phones and tablets but also webcams, keyboards, chargers and data dongles the programme has helped many people, including school pupils and pensioners, establish the internet links that have helped them through the isolation of the pandemic.
Project leaders say that while the need for kit still exists, the stockpile of available devices has diminished, so a fresh call has gone out for more donations. Pre-pandemic, around 30 per cent of North Yorkshire’s population had no, or limited, internet use.
Reboot North Yorkshire is a collaborative project led by the County Council, involving a wide range of partners across the county – including libraries, schools, businesses, charities and volunteers.
Cllr David Chance, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Stronger Communities, said:
“Reboot North Yorkshire has been a tremendous success and has provided vital links, which some people would not otherwise have had.
“The generosity of residents and businesses has meant we have been able to refurbish and distribute devices through the year, but now there is a need for more.
“Some people may find themselves with a computer upgrade at Christmas and this would be an ideal opportunity to put old devices to a very good use,”
Machines are refurbished by experts and hard drives wiped of personal material, meaning there are no security issues with passing computers on.
They can be dropped off at local libraries that are participating in the scheme and will end up with those who need them most.
Drop-off points around the county are listed on the rebootny.co.uk website
Since the scheme was launched, 625 computers, smartphones and other devices have been donated through Reboot to socially isolated individuals. Of those, 200 have gone for use by school pupils who have had periods of working from home during lockdowns. Another 425 have been distributed to people identified as socially isolated, allowing them an opportunity to keep in touch with family, friends and other groups which offer support.
Cllr Chance said:
“The period of lockdowns may be over, but the pandemic is still very much with us and life is not yet back to normal.
“There is still a need and with more help from North Yorkshire’s communities, we can continue with this help."
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