Donating tech to those living in digital poverty

Optix Solutions has sent off a bundle of tech to Exeter charity GiftTech, ready to be rehomed to individuals caught up in the ‘digital divide’.

National figures from the Digital Youth Index Report 2023 show that 14 percent of young people in the UK have no access to a learning device such as a laptop or desktop computer, whilst for young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) the figure is 20 percent.

Optix previously donated desktops to Exeter charity GiftTech in 2022, and this year it was the turn of a selection of laptops and monitors.

Rob said: “Shockingly, it seems around 12 million computers and laptops have been thrown into UK landfill in the past five years alone.

“Optix are keen to continue supporting the local community by donating our older IT equipment to  GiftTech. Once the laptops have been forensically wiped they will be repurposed for young people within the greater Exeter area.”

Whilst Exeter is fortunate to be classed as a reasonably affluent area, there are still many children who do not have access to the internet at home, which can disadvantage them socially, educationally and when they are looking for work.

Brent Woodward from GiftTech went to the company’s offices to collect the tech from Optix MD Rob Stevens. He said he was particularly pleased with the donation of the monitors as these are particularly in demand at the charity.

Rob urged other local businesses who are considering upgrading tech for 2025 to think about donating to GiftTech. “It would be great to support even more young people and help to narrow the divide between the haves and the have nots.”