Digital Inclusion from SocialBox.Biz
Participate on an ongoing basis and become part of the solution
According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2014, some 11%, that’s 5.9 million people in the UK had never used a computer. In 2018 the same office reported that there were still 5.3 million adults in the UK, or 10 per cent of the adult UK population, who were non-internet users.
Many of these are on low incomes such as the refugees, young people in the care system, homeless, the elderly and disabled people. These figures are even higher amounts these groups and those living below the poverty line where majority of disadvantaged people still have no access to a computer. Without access to the Internet there is a severe barrier to gaining employment and connecting with family and friends. Furthermore, they are disadvantaged through not being able to perform tasks on-line or access cheaper deals for utilities and shopping. There is also a cost to the economy in that non-Internet users cost more for local Councils to service, as an example.
Socially and Digitally excluded people cannot connect cheaply with friends and family or access jobs and many of those that have never used a computer are those from low income households or, having no household at all.
So what can be done ?
SocialBox.Biz as a part of its social impact digital inclusion initiative collects disused but still working laptop computers and other tech in order to support disadvantaged groups with computers that are wiped clean to highest standards and upgraded using open source innovation. They work with charities in the areas of homelessness, ex offenders, young refugees, young people in the care system and the elderly who can not afford computers and software. Contact SocialBox.Biz to participate on an ongoing basis and solve your corporate impact problems.
If you’re a company, or a larger organisation we need your old laptops and other no longer needed still usable tech now for our long-standing initiative. The pandemic has shone a light on digital poverty and we have a manifesto, which includes eradicating digital poverty by 2030.
Read more and share even if you are not able to contribute your old tech at this time:
https://twitter.com/SocialBoxBiz/status/1334448259549552640
So how can you get involved ? If you run a business or any other organisation, you can instruct your IT department to contact SocialBox.Biz regarding your disused but still working laptops via SocialBox.Biz platform. SocialBox.Biz, a digital inclusion and laptop donation platform, will redistribute the items through qualifying accommodation services charity partners.
A message from SocialBox.Biz team:
‘’Importantly, this does not affect recycling contracts as items can still be sent for recycling that needed recycling and still usable items donated to our initiative once we’ve removed any usable items. Upcycling, by reusing and donating to those who cannot afford a computer, is a far more environmentally friendly solution than selling old computers for recycling to scrap companies. Giving someone a free laptop may not seem like much, but for many people it gives them hope and is an important stepping stone into society.’
You can also participate in an employee engagement programme so that your staff can also be engaged and participate with their old laptops, games consoles and mobile phones.
Our service level includes: Provision of donation collection boxes, collection service and various on-site IT data security solutions which ensure your firm is leading by example in increasingly important areas such as Social Impact. We can also assist with sharing this data for inclusion in your annual reports, social media, awards applications, investors, investors indexes and consumers via our Social Impact and Social Responsibility Marketing and PR support as a service to those committed to ongoing positive impact on society via our initiatives.
Our digital inclusion initiatives
SocialBox.Biz created these programs to support vulnerable populations via digital inclusion and social inclusion as well as training and mentoring and has launched a number of campaigns with various charities. Firms looking to lead by practical example of Environmental Social Governance can demonstrate their ongoing commitment to positive impact via SocialBox.Biz platform and change the world for those who who have nothing and need it the most:
Laptops for homeless support
Laptops for older people living in isolation
Laptops for refugees and families in hardship
For Case studies, information on our free Pop UP Computer Classes Digital inclusion training we provide and E-learning resources visit our training blog
For further case studies please visit our news&posts section
https://www.socialbox.biz/news-posts/
How it works exactly ?
Solve Corporate Governance ( #Corpgov ), sustainability and social impact problems with your old laptops and help provide access to computer access and jobs for those who need them the most.
To get more information regarding our trailblazing services, click here to get in touch with one of our representatives.
SocialBox.biz also has a number of public drop off points:
https://www.socialbox.biz/donate-your-disused-things-through-our-charity-partners/
We are regularly approached by many additional charities asking for laptop donations, and we would love to assist. Unfortunately, we currently face a shortage of technology to sign up addition partners. Charities are welcome to contact us, and we’ll do our best to offer advice on guidance on how to join our initiative and at what point we can assist with arranging for the computers to be prepared for redistribution to your cause. Please get in touch with via our Contact Us page.
( May 2020 update )
More information about Digital Inclusion:
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration commented on SocialBox.Biz initiative Laptops for Homeless and Vulnerable and our work with C4WS homeless shelter charity in central London.
Bridging The Employment Gap Through Digital Inclusion
Article by Anesa, SocialBox.Biz blogger
London-based start-up technology social impact initiative SocialBox.Biz is on a mission to redistribute outdated laptops to the vulnerable populations of the United Kingdom. ( October 2015 )
There have been numerous attempts to enhance the circumstance of Londoners with respect to employment. Whether it’s through an assortment of plans in local boroughs or figuring out the best method to find jobs, the employment gap is very real and people are actively trying to close it.
According to developmental reports found on many of London council’s websites, for the city to continue being a competitor on the world stage, the capital’s efforts need be coordinated to ensure all Londoners are given access to opportunities to maximise their potential. The idea behind these reports is that London’s inhabitants and workforce should have the capacity to profit from work opportunities by removing obstacles to employment.
With the speed that things are constantly changing and evolving, it has also been emphasised that Londoners who are out of work need to learn new skills required by organisations quickly and efficiently. For instance, Londoners who aren’t tech savvy should be able to access computers. Likewise, Londoners who are currently up to speed should have access to advanced training to stay current with the latest technological improvements.
There are billions of individuals in this world without proper fundamentals. When considering the imbalance in the UK, we often come across homeless individuals without a rooftop over their heads, and any guarantee of work so they can get their life back on track. Although they don’t have the same access as the rest of society, they’re still expected to move out of the poverty cycle. This access to the basic technology is what we deem Digital Inclusion.
What is Digital Inclusion?
Digital Inclusion refers to the capacity for a person to have solid access to the online world today. Whether it’s a cell phone, desktop computer, tablet or laptop, one of these costly electronic devices is required, in addition to Internet/WiFi, to join the digital world.
Most homeless people, elderly and low-income households struggle for other essentials in addition to the need to stay updated with current events. The outcome? No convenient method for writing a CV, applying for most employment and researching information that could change their critical circumstances.
Ever heard of the phrase, “Give a man a fish and he’ll starve, but teach him how to fish and he’ll always have food?” This is the same idea. Instead of giving the less fortunate handouts, lets figure out a way to “teach them to fish”.
Laptop Donations?
Enter: SocialBox.Biz! A start-up socially focused technology venture determined to use digital inclusion to assist the UK’s disadvantaged starting in their local communities. They have seen the research on the millions below poverty level and have pledged to accomplish something progressive to make a change.
The London based social entity brings this digital exclusion to the awareness of other organisations and encourages companies to donate a percentage of their old but still useful items and to host laptop collection boxes on their property in line with their corporate governance and social responsibility #corpgov and #csr policies – for those items no longer needed but that can be used by those who need them the most via digital inclusion donation initiatives.
The idea is that these companies that host collection boxes will publicise their donation site to their local community to help with community engagement as well as enhance community outreach for the sponsor business boosting their own employee engagement at the same time.
Delivery
This stage is where companies come together for a philanthropic cause. After the company decides to host the tech drive, London based SocialBox.Biz does the tough work. The all-service project includes gathering used but still working and useful items, adding open source software ensuring all data has been removed and delivering donations for distribution in the community for those that are eligible via accommodation services partners.
By cooperating with other local charities and organisations, they have Handover Delivery Days to bring these items to those in need. Not only does this project grant the business the gift of giving, it gives those that needed the extra push the ability to jump-start their next move.
Job-hunting, applying for government aid or simply staying connected with family the SocialBox.biz donations may be one step, but that can be the first step of somebody’s next phase of life.
Technology is one of the few things that can alter our entire world. Access to technology is turning out to be essential and SocialBox.Biz knows there is a demand for Internet access. By utilising innovation and technology, SocialBox.Biz redistributes old goods into the hands of those who would have otherwise been without.
The appeal that drives the trailblazing London-based start-up begins and ends with the desire to reach the community and provide methods for advancement. There’s no need to keep somebody from learning how to fish.
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Practical solutions to Social Responsibility (CSR) problems, Inclusive Capitalism and Culture of Social Impact …
https://www.socialbox.biz/category/digital-inclusion/
https://www.socialbox.biz/our-services/
To participate please Contact Us
Helping organisations meet sustainability and impact goals.
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SocialBox.Biz – 2024 update
Companies can now solve their impact problems and reduce scope 3 emissions from old tech by sponsoring additional students, basic computer classes and tech labs for older people living on small pensions and refugees integrating into British society, please contact us to discuss further: https://www.socialbox.biz/corporate-impact/