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Tameside Community Computers CIC
Putting I.T. back into the CommunITy
Empowering People - Protecting the Planet.
Tameside Community Computers CIC is a not-for-profit organisation that creates equitable Access to Opportunity by providing devices, internet access, digital skills training and tech support for those in the community left on the wrong side of the digital divide, while at the same time empowering businesses and other organisations to play their part by diverting technology from landfill and at the same time protecting our planet.
We Solve Two Big Problems
The Digital Divide
Over 11 million people in the UK lack access to a personal computer, internet connection, or both. This lack of access to digital technology creates a significant gap between the different opportunities unconnected people can access. This gap is known as the 'Digital Divide', and it is our mission to shrink this, because we believe that equitable access to information and technology empowers people to achieve their full potential.
E-Waste
Electronic Waste, or E-Waste, refers to electronic products and components that are unwanted, unusable, or nearing the end of their useful life. E-Waste makes up to 22.8% of mass in landfill sites, but all electronics devices that we receive are recycled in an environmentally friendly way with nothing going to landfill.
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DEVICE REFERRALS AND APPLICATIONS
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Our main priority will be to offer devices to those currently living in Digital Poverty who are aged 10 to 25 years old and based within Tameside and its surrounding areas. If we receive an application for anyone falling outside this criterion, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
From time-to-time, we may receive external funding that stipulates what we must use that funding for, and we are obliged to strictly adhere to this.
If you, or a family member, is living in Digital Poverty and wish to be considered for support from us, we must receive your referral and application through one of our Partner Organisations. For example, this may be a Local Authority Social Worker, Local Council, Community Support Worker, Housing Association, Health Care Professional, School, College, Charity, Homeless Shelter, Domestic Abuse Service, Community Organisation, etc.
We will no longer accept any individual applications directly to us, they must be from a recognised organisation that support to an individual or family.
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In the first instance, we require a completed website Contact Form submitted to us, or an email to be sent to enquiries@tamesidecc.org from the referring Partner Organisation. We will then send our an Application Form to complete on behalf of their client(s). If the application is successful, the device will be supplied to the referrer to pass on to their client(s).
Under certain specially agreed circumstances, we may choose to deliver a device to the referrer, but this cannot be guaranteed.
To reiterate, under no circumstances will we accept any independent individual applications directly to us, they must be from one of our Partner Organisations..
Living in Digital Poverty means that you are unable to participate fully in the everyday necessities of the ‘Digital World’ due to the absence of an essential internet-enabled device.
IMPORTANT
Why We Charge for Devices – A Message from Tameside Community Computers CIC
We’ve recently received a growing number of messages from across the UK asking for free devices. We understand the need is great, and we wish we could help everyone, but we want to be transparent about how we operate and why we do what we do.
We are a not-for-profit organisation, not a funded national charity.
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Every person involved is a volunteer. No one is paid. But we still have real-world costs:
* Rent for our office and warehouse
* Utility bills and insurance
* Environment Agency registration fees
* Two vans to run and maintain
* Parts to repair donated devices
* Data destruction license fees
* And right now, a global shortage of computer components that is pushing prices up
We do charge for devices that can be made up of our administration fee as well as the device itself. but we keep prices as low as possible and well below retail outlets.
What about free devices?
Unless we receive specific funding for a project (with strict criteria set by funders), we cannot offer devices for free.
However, in some cases, if we receive a referral from one of our Partner Organisations that support us and are aligned with our mission, we may waive the administration fee, but this is discretionary and based on many factors.
We’re here to fight digital poverty, and we do it with heart, integrity, and transparency. Thank you for understanding, and for supporting a grassroots movement that’s powered by community, not profit.