The University of Central Lancashire1 has donated 12 repurposed laptops to The Foxton Centre so digital access and support is available for vulnerable young people in the Preston community.
All Windows 11 compatible, the laptops were delivered to the centre by Recycle IT, a university partner which provides environmentally friendly solutions for the institution’s redundant IT equipment.
Chief Executive of The Foxton, Cath Coffey, said: "For our young people digital access to a laptop is not something they have regularly and for those who use The Foxton, the ability to access digital services or information is often difficult.
"This kind donation not only completes our new training room for use by our young people and the community, but our team can also work with all of our groups across the building in whatever setting to ensure where we need digital access and support, they can have it.
......it was clear how a big institution like the University of Central Lancashire could make a real tangible difference in the city by making use of old equipment it no longer needs but is crucial for The Foxton in the work they do– Blog Preston's founder and editor Ed Walker
"Thank you very much to Recycle IT, the University of Central Lancashire and Blog Preston for their involvement and kindness in this important support for our new youth and community centre in Avenham."
The donation was co-ordinated by Blog Preston's founder and editor Ed Walker, who is also a leader in residence in journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, after he reported on the Furnish Foxton appeal earlier this year.
Ed said: "We report on lots of what happens in the city but it's important as local media we are a part of the city too.
"When touring the new youth centre recently and speaking to Cath and the team it was clear how a big institution like the University of Central Lancashire could make a real tangible difference in the city by making use of old equipment it no longer needs but is crucial for The Foxton in the work they do."
For our young people digital access to a laptop is not something they have regularly and for those who use The Foxton, the ability to access digital services or information is often difficult– Chief Executive of The Foxton, Cath Coffey
Chris Hatton, Senior Technical Manager in the University of Central Lancashire’s Learning and Information Service added: “Collaborating with Recycle IT and Blog Preston to donate to such a worthy local initiative is something the University was delighted to participate in. All the laptops are as good as new having been reskinned, fitted with new keyboards and given a two-year warranty. We hope the young people using Foxton get many years of productive use from the laptops the University no longer required.”
As a result of the donation Recycle IT says the following environmental benefits have also been achieved.
- Saved 3792 Kgs compared to purchasing new kit
- Planted 1 tree
- 4 Gms of improved air quality
- 6m2 of improved habitat
- 250 Gms of carbon captured
- University of Central Lancashire is proudly changing to University of Lancashire
Photo caption:
Delivering the laptops to The Foxton Centre. From left to right: Chief Executive of The Foxton, Cath Coffey, University of Central Lancashire Media Manager Carl Hudspith, Jack Doherty from Recycle IT, Sam Gregson from The Foxton Centre and Carl Greenwood, Business Development Manager for Recycle IT.