SocialBox.Biz and the C4WS Homeless Project celebrate over a decade of partnership by delivering a significant handover of laptops and MacBooks to help homeless individuals moving into housing, training, and employment. This initiative showcases the positive impact of tech reuse in tackling homelessness in Central London, with support from corporate partners. It also highlights the measurable social and environmental benefits of choosing secure reuse over corporate IT disposal.
( Article By Heather, 2nd May 2024, updated 26th Nov 2024 and spring/summer 2025, case study added )
Reused Laptops are wiped and programmed with Linux Software by SocialBox.Biz, to make sure that through open-source technology C4WS guests can access all the programs they need in their course of settling into accommodation or looking into new pathways of employment and education.
“In a world where everything becomes interlinked with technology these re-use services help us making sure our guests are able to access Benefits Support, while engaging with Employment and Education training.” Added C4WS Staff
The partnership between SocialBox.Biz and C4WS Homeless Project has proven to be a fruitful helping connect a long list of people in need with updated old tech while reducing emissions for corporate partners and providing a solution for their social impact problems.
SocialBox.Biz team have been collecting old but usable tech from organisations across the UK and prepping some of the suitable ones for our re-use service via charities such as C4WS Homeless Project with open source software. In 2006, C4WS Homeless Project first opened its doors and today continues on with a mission of helping homeless people get back on their feet with housing, career, and educational opportunities.
“It made our day, that this is now possible that also old MacBooks can be re-used with open source technology discovering new ways to ensure recipients get access to laptops and software that they could otherwise not able to afford.” said the team at SocialBox.Biz. We are helping people in trying circumstances to get back on their feet and we are happy that our small community interest company can help another small charity.”
Case study ( provided by C4WS Homeless Project Charity partner on 26th Nov 2024)
Colin has been stuck without a home for a long time, unable to follow up with his caseworker or find employment.
As a part of the winter shelter and housing service from C4WS he was provided with a SocialBoxBiz laptop service and tech lab, which allowed him to complete paperwork and engage with his caseworker to help him find suitable accommodation.
His dream is to move into accommodation and finish his training as Engineer, and find his dream job. Thanks to Social Box he is on the way to accomplish it.
Case Study by C4WS Homeless Project Charity partner
( Added: 14th April 2025 )
Elaine, arrived in the UK as a refugee after fleeing her country due to civil war.
After passing through our winter homeless shelter, she began to rebuild her life. She wanted to access college, but neither her College nor the Job Centre was willing to provide her with access to a laptop. Thanks to the support of SocialBox.biz, she was provided a premium computer that will allow her to commit with her studies for the years to come.
Elaine is very happy and determined to finish her studies now that there is nothing that will stop her from studying and taking notes during class. She wanted to say thank you to everyone involved “Thank you very much without you I will be still on the streets and without possibility to study”.
We are thrilled to share some news from this season! – 2025 spring/summer update
Thanks to the incredible generosity of SocialBox.biz, we were able to provide 10 ( additional ) guests at our shelter with their very own laptops. These devices are more than just computers — they are tools for empowerment, connection, and personal growth. For many of our guests, having access to a laptop means being able to take online courses, apply for jobs, stay in touch with family and support networks, and access essential services.
In short, these laptops are helping open doors to new opportunities and brighter futures. What makes this initiative even more special is its commitment to sustainability. The laptops donated by SocialBox.biz are high-performance, reliable devices that have been given a second life. By reusing and repurposing this technology, we’re not only supporting individuals in need but also helping to reduce electronic waste and protect our environment.
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with SocialBox.biz. Their continued support demonstrates how technology, compassion, and community can come together to make a real difference in people’s lives. Thank you, SocialBox.biz, for helping us make the world a better, more connected place one laptop at a time.
C4WS client using SocialBox.Biz laptop
Picture: C4WS – SocialBox.Biz Laptops for Homeless moving into accommodation and employment
Companies can now solve their impact problems and reduce scope 3 emissions from old tech by sponsoring additional ComptiaA+ students from homeless shelters, 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/corp
SocialBox.Biz Continues to Reduce Emissions and Increase Impacts for Participating Companies.
You create social impact by re-using large quantities of your company’s old but still functional tech equipment on an ongoing basis with SociaBox.Biz and support our self-sustaining social enterprise by paying for some of our commercial our services.
#######################################
Key Takeaways from the C4WS Partnership:
- Decade-Long Commitment: A testament to a sustained, long-term impact on digital inclusion.
- Significant Handover: The partnership recently completed a major handover of laptops and MacBooks.
- Direct Impact: The devices are given to homeless individuals moving into accommodation, training, and employment.
- Supports Local Charities: The initiative operates through respected charity organizations, ensuring devices reach those most in need.
- Environmental Benefits: Emphasizes the positive environmental impact of choosing secure reuse over recycling.
- Partnership: SocialBox.Biz and C4WS Homeless Project (Charity)
- Duration: Over a decade
- Location: Central London
- Keywords:
- Social Impact: Homelessness, Digital Inclusion, Community Support, Vulnerable People, Training, Employment.
- Sustainability: Tech Reuse, Circular Economy, Corporate IT Disposal, Reduce E-Waste, Environmental Impact.
- Corporate: ESG Impact, Social Value, Corporate Partnerships, IT Hardware Donations, Reduce Scope 3 Emissions.
- Products: Laptops, MacBooks, Tablets, Reused Technology.
- Key Programs: Laptops for the Homeless, Tech for Good, Secure Reuse Before Recycling.
- Impact Metrics: The program supports individuals with accommodation, training, and employment opportunities by providing essential tech access.
- Key Takeaway: A long-term, stable, self-sustaining model for turning corporate IT disposal into measurable social and environmental benefits by prioritising secure reuse before disposal and recycling.
- Related Entities: Age UK London, Camden Council, Westminster City Council, More Central London companies needed to participate (as mentioned in other related posts).
- How does SocialBox.Biz work with charities like C4WS?
We partner with established charities to receive donated IT from corporations. We then securely wipe and upgrade the equipment with open source software before the charity distributes some of the suitable items to their beneficiaries.
- What is the impact of reusing laptops for people experiencing homelessness?
A laptop provides access to housing searches, online training, employment opportunities, and vital communication, helping people transition into stable housing and employment.
- How can my business donate IT equipment?
Your London business can start the process by visiting our Corporate Partnerships page or contacting us via the website to arrange a secure collection.
- What are Impact Plans?
For companies without IT equipment to donate, Impact Plans allow for a direct financial contribution to support our work, enabling a measurable social impact.
Topics covered and addressed in this article:
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.