GOOD Things Foundation is celebrating a major milestone for its National Device Bank after the initiative reached 100 contributing organisations and supported almost 40,000 people across the UK.
The National Device Bank was initially created as an emergency response during the Covid 19 pandemic but has since developed into a national service helping people experiencing digital exclusion access refurbished technology.
The scheme, supported by Good Things Foundation’s exclusive technology partner Reconome, gives decommissioned laptops, smartphones and tablets a second life by placing them with people who otherwise may not have access to a suitable device.
With an estimated 1.6 million adults in the UK still lacking a device to access the internet, the charity said the initiative is helping organisations turn unwanted technology into opportunities for people who are digitally excluded.
Good Things Foundation and Reconome recently marked the National Device Bank’s 100th contributor after collecting decommissioned technology from Adur & Worthing Councils.
IT Reuse for Good Charter marks first anniversary
The milestone comes as the government-backed IT Reuse for Good Charter celebrates its first anniversary.
Developed by Good Things Foundation alongside the former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, VodafoneThree and Deloitte UK, the Charter encourages organisations to adopt a reuse-first approach when managing corporate IT equipment.
The initiative aims to build social and environmental benefits into standard IT asset disposal while also supporting Net Zero ambitions.
Since the Charter launched, 28,000 people have benefited from a refurbished device.
A government One Year On report found that 43 major organisations across the private, public and third sectors have now signed up to the Charter.
Signatories are also supported through the IT Reuse for Good Charter Playbook, which provides practical guidance for organisations looking to establish their own device donation schemes.
Natasha Early, National Device Bank Lead at Good Things Foundation, said:
“It’s a fantastic milestone to acknowledge the 100 organisations that have contributed to the National Device Bank.
“Leveraging decommissioned IT assets for digital inclusion benefit is gaining traction in the UK right now. Thanks to the government-backed IT Reuse for Good Charter and the many reuse schemes operating around the nation, there are so many ways for private and public sector organisations to get involved.
“So, this feels like the perfect moment to thank the pioneers and encourage even more to consider IT reuse for good.”
Organisations supporting the National Device Bank
Good Things Foundation said the growth of the National Device Bank has been made possible through the support of organisations across the private and public sectors.
Reconome provides the technology infrastructure connecting corporate donors with community recipients, while Virgin Media O2 and Nominet provided initial funding to establish and launch the National Device Bank.
VodafoneThree has also named the initiative as a key part of its Great British Tech Appeal, encouraging its business customer network to contribute unwanted technology.
The Metropolitan Police has become the largest device contributor to date, helping deliver the London Device Bank on behalf of the Greater London Authority.
National Grid Electricity Distribution provided the National Device Bank’s first official device collection, with the initiative subsequently expanding across the wider National Grid group.
Other organisations supporting the reuse movement include People’s Partnership, the London Office of Technology and Innovation, LandAid and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Adur & Worthing Councils has now become the landmark 100th contributor.
Simon Millier, Head of Technology & Design at Adur & Worthing Councils, said:
“Access to technology isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for accessing digital services and staying connected.
“We’re really proud to be working with Reconome and Good Things Foundation to contribute to the National Device Bank, and excited to be its 100th contributor.
“It’s incredible to hear how much difference our retired IT equipment can make when it’s given a second life. They are really helping people in communities access services, find work and participate in everything online.”
Target of 85,000 devices
Good Things Foundation and Reconome are aiming to provide 85,000 devices through their partnership.
Nick Rawkins, CEO and Founder of Reconome, said:
“Reaching a hundred donors makes you stop and think about what we’ve actually built. Three years ago it was a pilot with something to prove.
“Now we have a hundred organisations that have chosen to put their end-of-life technology to work for people who are locked out of the digital world.
“For so many of them, a refurbished device isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a way back in.
“Our target of 85,000 devices with Good Things Foundation isn’t an aspiration; it’s a commitment to people in digital poverty, who cannot afford for us to fall short.”
Good Things Foundation is now encouraging more UK businesses and public bodies to sign the IT Reuse for Good Charter and donate decommissioned technology.
The charity said organisations taking part can help reduce electronic waste and support their sustainability objectives while also providing people affected by digital exclusion with access to essential technology.
