Apply for a low cost recycled computer

by Kevin on June 1, 2010 · 23 comments

PLEASE NOTE: There has been an enormous response to our computer reuse scheme with almost 2000 people from all over the city applying for a pc. We have already distributed over 1000 and are working through the waiting list. We are confident that we will receive enough machines to serve the current demand, however there will undoubtedly be a considerable wait, perhaps of over 3 months, for anyone applying now. We are doing our best to identify new sources of refurbished computers to bring down the backlog. For those who really need to get themselves online sooner rather than later, there is a new scheme that could be suitable. Get Online @ Home is a national computer reuse programme that offers an internet ready PC package to eligible applicants from £99. The computer comes pre-installed with all the software required to get started. Thanks for your patience.

We want Bristol to be a truly inclusive and connected digital city where anyone who wants a computer at home can have one and where help to get connected is easily available. We realise that this is a considerable task as 15% of Bristol residents say they have never been on line.

To help achieve our vision we have launched a citywide scheme to make available a low cost recycled computer to individuals and families who are on a low income or who experience other disadvantages. These refurbished computers will be available to eligible applicants for £35, which includes telephone support and advice on how best to get connected to the Internet.

If you would like to make an application you can fill out the Online Application Form (WARNING: this doesn’t yet work with IE8) or download and print our Computer Reuse Application form and send the completed application back to us at Recycled Computers (CH/404), Freepost SWB 535, Bristol BS1 5BR. Your contact information will be treated confidentially and will only be used to keep you informed about the computer recycling scheme

If you have a friend or relative who isn’t yet online, it might be worth asking if you they might like to fill out an application?

We are also looking to encourage businesses across the city to follow Bristol City Council and the Bristol Partnership, and commit to contribute their redundant ICT to the Reuse Scheme. If you represent a business and would like to contribute your redundant IT equipment to benefit individuals and community groups across the city please let us know. We aren’t you in a position to accept IT from individuals at the moment, however if you have a PC at home that  you would like to see reused or recycled you could donate it through Donate a PC .

Tagged as: recycled computers

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  • http://www.voscur.org/ict Sean Kenny

    Will there be any posters or leaflets available in pdf for groups to put up in places like Community Centres, Surgeries etc. to publicise the scheme more widely?

  • Kevin

    We have some leaflets that show the new council free wifi spots and cover the recycled computers programme. We are getting a large print run done soon so I will make sure you get a stack for your members. I'll also ask Sarah if we can get some posters printed too for libraries, community centres etc. Thanks for the idea ;-)

  • Tcrimmons

    Really good idea if the right people get the computors.

  • Nina

    really good idea lots of people are stuck with parents that do not spend there money on the things that they need to make there lives better so they are at a big disadvantage to those children in foster care or rich parents because they just never get the right things at the right time bristol is very behind due to these kinds of actions i think more boarding schools would help children live independantly to there parents budget as many are suffering

  • Patriciahenson

    Any type of recycling is always good.Its good to see we are doing as much as we can to save the planet.Its a great idea for people on low income and the unemployed who

    cannot afford to buy a computer.

    Patricia

    Bath rd,Brislington,

    Bristol.

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  • Shane Adams

    This is a truly brilliant initiative. A working PC with a monitor and keyboard, mouse and a windows OS for £35? And telephone support as well? This has to be the bargain of the year, and most likely next year as well.

    Brilliant!

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  • Annie Medhurst

    It's not the cost of a computer that's a problem for me (already have one), but the cost per month of being on-line. Presumably those on low incomes will still have to find £15.00 per month or whatever it costs for internet access.

  • Kevin

    Annie, this is an issue and we have given it a lot of thought. Each computer comes with a simple guide (written by Byteback) covering how to find the best value internet connection. Users with Sky or other TV packages can often bundle an internet connection in with this payment for a very small fee, and those with a mobile phone can sometimes get a very good connectivity deal as part of their phone contract. We are also talking to a range of Internet Service Providers to encourage them to offer special deals for users of the Recycling Scheme- I think as the numbers in the scheme grow this will become a much more compelling proposition for them.

    Regards

    Kevin

  • Bill_Jarman

    Hi Annie I have to say I'm a little bit annoyed by your comment. There are companies offering connectivity for £6 per month or alternatively there are broadband dongles which offer low fixed costs for data. If a neighbour has a wireless connection I am sure that most people wouldn't mind allowing access to their router sharing to help someone out.

    Whilst I'm all for an inclusive society we are all living in austere times and £1.50 per week does not seem an unreasonable ask for anyone.

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  • Nosila Crossley

    Hiya Bill

    I agree that it is the cost of being online that can be a problem. I also agree tha £6 per month is not much and when you look at it as £1.50 per week it's a neglagable cost. I use a dongle for £5 per month but would like to be on broadband.

    As there is no underground cables to my home my choices are Sky, BT or Talk Talk. To get BT or Talk Talk I have first to have a BT landline connected at a cost £125.00, then line rental at approx £12 per month then a minimum £6 per month. To get broardband there is usually a minimum contract of 12-18 months. Most weeks I would agree most people could easily be able to find a spare £1.50 for the benefit of being online, however when you've lost your job, your car MOT and insurance is due, your washing machine brakes down and then your child needs a new pair of shoes, £1.50 can be impossible to meet.

    I understand what you're saying Bill, but sometimes that extra £1.50 can leave you in the red and then costs can spiral out of control.

    If you can tell me an option for broadband that only involves £6 per month with NO line rental please please please tell me about it.

    Thanks

  • Bill

    Hi Nosila

    In every part of the country there are areas which are detached from the 'grid'. In your case you seem to have found a solution to connectivity which is far from ideal but at least you have access.

    The telecomms companies are looking at solutions for unconnected areas, such as WiMax which will mean broadband speeds through a wireless dongle but as yet the service is in its early stages and the reality is you will have to wait.

    I understand that many people live paypacket to paypacket (me included) and often when large bills arrive it is very difficult to make ends meet. My original point stands; it's a question of choice for each user? Would I prefer to spend £1.50 per week on connectivity or not? I would be surprised if the majority of social housing did not have telecomms infrastructure in situ as this would probably be covered uner the decent homes inititative.., .

  • http://www.twitter.com/prbristolblog PRBristolblog

    Any of the kit available for local authority schools ? I am on the PTA for my local primary. Particularly PC screens or OHP / bulbs etc?

  • Kevin

    Hi Matt, the intention is to eventually make kit available to voluntary and community organisations, local projects and small social enterprises who otherwise would not be able to afford the equipment- I'd been thinking of schools more as donators than recipients to this point but perhaps there is an argument to include some activities or enterprises within schools. We still have to iron out the eligibility criteria. The scheme has been HUGELY popular with individuals so far (over 500 applications in 3 months) so I think we will be working flat out on the waiting list until the summer, and then we will release an application process for groups. Drop me a line with the sorts of school activities that you feel might benefit and I'll look into how we can work it in.
    K

  • Jacandjill2011

    hi,may i know this PC is still live to come and collect?

  • Kevin

    drop me an email (kevin.omalley AT bristol.gov.uk) with your details and I will let you know where you are on the waiting list. We have had a massive response to the scheme- and are now over 800 applicants, but we have machines arriving on a weekly basis now so will work our way through the backlog.

  • Michaelhughes000

    The greatest crime commited on the working class is the removal of Evening classes that have a nominal fee, if society does not provide access to everyone to improve their lot continually throughout lifes journey where will our society lead. You leave school without adequate qualifications and thats your lot, you are consigned to be a part of the mass uneducated creating a two tier society that will dispise each other and the social problems that blighted our forebares will also blight us our children will not accept this and there will be revolution.

  • http://www.computer-recycling-and-removals.co.uk/ Computer Recycling

    Computer Recycling is definitely the way forward all round really.
    Not only do we keep the old computers out of land fill sites, but low income families can then have the use of a computer at a very low cost.

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