Award, Commendations and Recognition

Award, Commendations and Recognition

Some  examples of Awards, Nominations, Commendations and Recognition:

August 2025: SocialBox.Biz, a London-based Community Interest Company, promotes social impact through technology and sustainability with secure re-use before corporate IT disposal for companies and universities. They provide solutions for reusing old business IT equipment in London and prioritising reuse before recycling corporate IT. Visit the profile on Idealist.org, the world’s largest social-impact platform.

August 2025: “Call SocialBox.Biz Before You Scrap It” Campaign Launched to Prioritise Business Tech Reuse Donation Service Over Corporate IT Recycling in London and the UK

August 2025: Charity Links and Business Mole media coverage: Businesses supporting our community interest company are increasing corporate social impact – Turning old IT into an impact story.  We also features in the latest issue of Facilities Management Now! The article explores how SocialBox.Biz’s innovative ‘Secure Reuse Before Recycling and IT Disposal’ initiative is transforming corporate IT practices in London. By partnering with us, companies are significantly enhancing their social and environmental impact. Read the full article here.

2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024

Featured in “One Hundred Reasons To Hope” 2021: Peter Paduh, Founder and Chairman of SocialBox.Biz, was featured as an “Everyday Hero” in the inspiring book “One Hundred Reasons To Hope: True Stories of Everyday Heroes,” published by well know publishers Peguin books The book highlights one hundred stories of remarkable individuals and their contributions to fostering hope and community. Peter’s story details his journey from a child refugee whose life was transformed by a donated laptop, inspiring him to establish SocialBox.Biz to tackle computer access exclusion amongst older people living on small pension. This recognition underscores the profound social impact and dedication behind the SocialBox.Biz: https://pressat.co.uk/releases/a-well-known-publishing-company-has-featured-the-initiatives-of-socialboxbiz-in-their-new-book-one-hundred-reasons-to-hope-d305dc0c136796f31baef4e7854e3844/

SocialBox.Biz and its founder, Peter Paduh, were recognized as “change makers and heroes” by The Independent newspaper in 2021. They were featured in the newspaper’s “Happy List,” which celebrates individuals spreading positivity during the pandemic with our re-used computer distribution that delivered items to homeless shelters and older people in isolation in that difficult time.

https://www.independent.co.uk/happylist/covid-heroes-positivity-b1813024.html

SocialBox.Biz delivered large batches of laptops during this difficult lockdown time to our partners age Age UKs in London, The Passage, C4WS and Centrepoint who are working with young homeless people. The laptops acquired were wiped clean and loaded with open source software via the technology innovation service from SocialBox.Biz Community Interest company. The laptops are used for a variety of things such as communication with family members, obtaining education, and securing employment.

• Delivering to those in need: The company delivered these reused computers to people in homeless shelters and older people in isolation through charity partners like Centrepoint and Age UK London.  https://www.socialbox.biz/laptopsforolderpeople/
• Enabling connection and opportunity: For vulnerable individuals, the computers provided a way to stay connected with loved ones, access education, and apply for jobs during a time of widespread isolation. As the CEO of Age UK London noted, the laptops made “a huge difference to the lives of older Londoners… and helped to tackle social isolation”.
• Inspired by the founder’s experience: The initiative is personal for founder Peter Paduh, who was a child refugee and received a free computer that “transformed” his own life. This experience inspired him to help others break cycles of digital exclusion. 

Sophie Wilson, who is at Centrepoint’s West London hostel, said, “This year has been an extremely challenging one for the young people living in the hostel. During the lockdowns, school, college, and university closures put their educational development at risk.”She elaborated, “The laptops donated to us by SocialBox.Biz have been a lifeline for the young people we support who aren’t lucky enough to own laptops…” 

https://www.socialbox.biz/socialbox-biz-latest-case-studies-and-other-updates/

We were also featured by the  BBC,  The Times, and The CBI;

JOIN US – BE A HERO DURING THE PANDMEIC AND BEYOND | SOCIALBOX.BIZ LAPTOPS FOR HOMELESS INITIATIVE OFF TO SUCCESSFUL START IN 2021

SOCIALBOX.BIZ UPDATE | Change starts at the top | Interview with The Times – Changemakers

May 2023

“We are very grateful for the kind donation of laptops to the service users of the Red Cross Hackney Destitution Centre. The Destitution Centre provides practical support to people seeking asylum, most of whom are not entitled to work and have no recourse to public funds. This partnership has enabled some of our service users to access laptops to help with their studies, communication with families as well as legal support. This support would not have been possible without the partnership with Socialbox.Biz On behalf of the service users and staff at the Red Cross Hackney Destitution Centre, we would like to thank Socialbox for this invaluable partnership.”

“We are very grateful to SocialBox.Biz for their generous donation of laptops,” said Mandy Lloyd, Head of Income and Partnerships at Migrant Help. “These laptops are making a real difference to the lives of the marginalised people that we support, by giving them the ability to communicate online – something which most of us take for granted nowadays. We are proud to be working with SocialBox.Biz to make this happen.”

The Passage reported on their website that:
”Working together with the social enterprise SocialBox.Biz, the charity has been helping clients to stay motivated since the start of lockdown; providing laptops, mobiles and tablets to those who were identified as otherwise having no access to electronic devices. This initiative has enabled clients to stay connected with their Passage case workers, carry out online training, keep in touch with their previous employers and apply for new job roles. The devices have also helped to prevent social isolation, improved living conditions for clients, and during a period where the entire nation was increasingly reliant on technology, ensured that they were not at risk of being excluded from employment and training opportunities or social activities.”

SocialBox.Biz are a social enterprise who have been supporting The Passage with donations of free laptops since 2016, providing hundreds of laptops to and tablets to The Passage since. The organisation initially joined forces with the charity to combat digital exclusion in the homelessness sector. SocialBox.Biz play a huge role in improving the quality of life of hundreds of our clients, by transforming houses into homes, through the introduction of electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones that so many of us take for granted.

Peter Paduh, the founder of SocialBox.Biz said: “The lockdown has really highlighted the inequalities we face as a country. While many of us take for granted the homes in which we live and the technology to keep us connected, many people in society do not have access to such luxuries, including the homeless.

“My first break coming to the UK as a refugee was receiving a laptop computer, which inspired me to later launch SocialBox.Biz It’s great that I can work with charities like The Passage, but the demand is so high right now, and we need more companies to step up and support these initiatives by providing their old laptops and tablets to SocialBox.Biz on an ongoing basis.

Contact SocialBox.Biz to participate on an ongoing basis and solve your corporate impact problems.

2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020

Sam Forsdike from C4WS Homeless Project in Central London who find young homeless people shelter in church owned properties, providing them with mentoring, befriending scheme, jobs club and English classes said; “Becoming a partner charity with Social Box and benefiting from the Laptops for Homeless Support initiative has been a fantastic addition to C4WS.

We work with those who are homeless and support them into accommodation. Once in their new homes we are frequently asked by our former guests how they can obtain computers that will enable them to take the next steps forward with their lives, whether this be searching for work, starting college or reconnecting with family and friends.

We have never been able to help them with these requests until discovering Social Box. It has been an absolute delight to see the stunned and excited faces of those guests we have been able to now give laptops to. This simple act makes a huge difference and we are excited to see the real changes it is making in their lives, and for their futures.”

Lorraine McGrath, Chief Executive of Simon Community Scotland said “online access is vital to the process of finding a safe home, managing benefits, applying for jobs and even just keeping connected with family and friends in today’s world. Re-homing others unwanted goods, is the perfect way to offer that same opportunity to people in homelessness and we are delighted to be working with SocialBox.Biz in bringing this approach to Scotland.”

Emma Freivogel, Chief Operating Officer, Working Chance wrote; Again, wonderful to hear about the nomination [technology innovation award] and a huge congratulations from the Working Chance team. It is really wonderful to see that you are being recognised for the great work you are doing with disadvantaged individuals and communities.

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.”

Peter Mather, BP’s UK head of country, said: “We are pleased to be able to support the SocialBox.biz initiative. Digital skills play an increasingly central role in modern life, and providing access to homeless and disadvantaged individuals is important for building an inclusive society.”

Linux Foundation General Manager, Training & Certification, Clyde Seepersad, said:

“Laptops for Homeless is a wonderful initiative, providing not just a hand out, but a hand up, to enable individuals to support themselves by conducting valuable, in demand work in the technology field,”

“The Linux Foundation is proud to offer a range of free training courses to help individuals all over the world gain highly useful, marketable skills they can use to build and improve their livelihoods.”

Corporate partnership examples

https://www.regus.com/en-gb/office-space/regus-is-collecting-second-hand-tech-for-those-in-need-across-the-uk

https://www.cbi.org.uk/articles/its-time-to-take-action-on-digital-exclusion/

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-and-london-councils-tackle-digital-divide

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/london/about-us/news/articles/2020/05/an-inspiring-digital-inclusion-initiative/

https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2020/03/04/Young-s-helps-homeless-with-laptop-initiative/

https://centre404.org.uk/blog/reducing-digital-exclusion/

Awards and Nominations

April 2018 – Technology Innovation of the Year Award. Socialbox.biz received word that they have been nominated for the second consecutive year as the Technology Innovation of the Year Award,.  Recognizing businesses that go above and beyond to contribute to surrounding communities, Socialbox.biz continues to provide technology based social impact solutions services as well as laptop handovers and training to the marginalized members of society.

2017

June 2017 – Socialbox.biz was nominated for the ‘Best Use of Tech in Digital Economy’ award at the 2017 UK Tech Awards, sponsored and supported by London Stock Exchange. The awards celebrate success and technology as it relates to the development of economies and communities today. We simply can not think of a better way to use technology than to impact lives of those who have nothing and needs it the most.

May 2017 – University of Westminster awards.  Our founder was nominated for the social impact entrepreneur of the year. The alumni were given an opportunity to nominate their favourite socially minded businesses that they felt are making most impact.

May 2017 – Tech CEO of the Year at the 2017 UK Tech Awards. Perhaps the best nomination thus far this year, Socialbox.biz’s founder, Peter Paduh, was nominated as the Tech CEO of the Year at the 2017 UK Tech Awards. As a former child refugee himself who came to the U.K. looking for a better future, Peter’s success story is one that would not be possible without access to the Internet. An inspiration to all displaced peoples today.

March 2017 – Nominated 2017 Business Awards from PWC – Congratulations! Your company, SocialBox.Biz, has been nominated for an award.  You have been nominated for the following award(s):  Technology Innovation of the Year Award.

2016

Startup of the year showcase | Guardian Small Business Network | The Guardian Newspaper 
2015 -2016 competition entry: SocialBox.biz. In their own words: ‘our main concern is the social impact of what we do’

2015 – ongoing

SOCIALBOX.BIZ Awarded DROPBOX for BUSINESS Partner Status enabling us to provide ground breaking cloud solutions through the Digital Cloud.

SOCIALBOX.BIZ Information Security ISO 27001 training for our consultants for Information Security. We will soon offer ISO 27001 consultations and internal audits to our clients. Contact us for more info on our IT security solutions.

####### Summer 2025 update #######

Join the growing number of businesses and causes working together with SocialBox.Biz on trailblazing initiatives to increase impact by supporting our community interest company to protect the planet and help those who need it the most.  Our consultancy programme incorporates social impact  and sustainable practices within your normal operations so your social impact becomes a natural extension of the activities in which you’re already engaged.  For example our 2025  ‘Call SocialBoxBiz before corporate  recycling of old business computers so we can check what can still be reused’  & ‘Donate Corporate Computers London‘  campaigns.

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• Long-Term Partnerships: Building enduring relationships with businesses and charities across London.
• Sustained Impact: Delivering consistent Social Impact Metrics for communities and partners year after year.
• Proven Model: Demonstrating a reliable and effective solution for Secure IT Reuse and E-Waste Reduction.
• Reliable Secure Solution: Our Certified Data Wiping process ensures trust and compliance.
• Social Enterprise Stability: A self-sustaining model built for lasting community benefit.

• Key Themes: Long-Term Impact, Sustained Success, Proven Model, Trust, Credibility, ESG Leadership, Social Enterprise.
• Core Services: Secure IT Reuse, Reuse Before Disposal, Certified Data Wiping, IT Asset Disposal.
• Key Benefits: Reduce Scope 3 Emissions, E-Waste Reduction, Social Impact, Digital Inclusion, ESG Reporting, Social Value.
• Keywords: Long-Term Partnerships, Sustained Impact, Proven Model, Reliable Secure Solution, Social Enterprise Stability, Reuse Before Disposal, Secure IT Reuse, Certified Data Wiping, ESG Reporting, Social Impact Metrics, E-Waste Reduction, Awards, Accolades, Recognition, London.