Restart Project: Funding the Future of the Next Generation
February 15, 2021 | Charity News | No comments
Did you know that approximately 1.8 million children in the UK do not currently have access to a laptop or computer in their own homes? We didn’t either, not until the Restart Project opened our eyes to this unacceptable injustice.
Now that learning from home is a necessity for young people to keep up with their education, that figure simply will not do. That’s why, here at eSpares, we decided we had no choice but to do our part in righting this wrong – and you could too!
What is the Restart Project?
Born in 2013, the Restart Project is an organisation that serves to challenge the throwaway culture seen far too often in consumerism today. Quite simply, they want people to fix it, not throw it away, and that’s a message we’ve long been on board with. The Restart Project hosts what they call ‘Restart Parties’, teaching people how to repair their devices instead of getting rid of them and buying replacements. This includes anything from toasters and household appliances to iPhones, headphones and tablets. Not only does this allow people to learn new skills when it comes to maintaining their home appliances, but it reduces material wastage and is great for the environment too!
The London Laptop Donation Drive
Photo by Mark Phillips
Restart Project’s current initiative is a London Laptop Donation Drive to encourage people to donate their old and unused laptops. Restart Project’s volunteers then generously repair and restore those laptops and offer them to children most in need so that they can keep up with their education from home.
Where do we come in?
At eSpares, we understand that there are a great many difficulties that come with staying connected with each other from our own homes. So, for those less equipped to do so than ourselves, we decided we just had to offer what assistance we could. That’s why we matched the 60 financial contributions already made to the London Laptop Donation Drive fundraiser, doubling the campaign’s donations and helping them to achieve their goal of providing 240 laptops to children in need.
The money donated will go towards buying the parts for volunteers to fix up the old laptops, as well as aiding in covering the transportation costs to safely deliver the laptops to children who need them. It’s really just a bonus that we get to spread the good word about spare parts in the process!
Anyone can help!
The best part about this wonderful project is that it isn’t the only one of its kind, and you don’t need to be based in London to donate to the cause. There are tons of organisations across the UK that accept laptop and smart device donations for children, students and families in need. Simply look at the list and find which one is closest to you.
Even if you don’t have a spare laptop to give, you can still offer a financial donation instead, or even your own two hands if you’re able!
Stay safe while you donate
When it comes to donating a device such as a laptop or a computer, it’s understandable that you’ll likely have some concerns about the personal information you have on there. From private documents to passwords and login details, you don’t want other eyes discovering what’s only meant for your own – but that’s no problem! Here are some tips on how to wipe your devices of personal information, so you can rest easy knowing your donation is safe and risk-free.
- Back-up before you pack up: Before you wipe and prepare to donate your laptop, computer or any other device, make sure you’ve backed it up entirely. The process is usually fairly straight-forward, ensuring you don’t lose all of your lovely dog photos or your Star Wars fan-fiction before you clear away the rest. However, the process is also different for different devices, so make sure you do a quick Google search to find the right steps for your specific laptop, computer or tablet.
- Wipe your worries away: Wiping a Mac or PC of your personal digital information is not nearly as complicated as it might sound. There are plenty of helpful guides and sources that both explain the process and guide you through, making sure that your device reverts back to having no more information on it than when you purchased it.
- Be in the clear: Again, every device is different, but all come with the ability to wipe your personal history. While wiping your PC, in general, should take care of this, you can never be too careful. Usually, you can simply click on the settings in the top right-hand corner of your internet browser, click the History tab and follow it to your History page to clear it all away. If not, a simple internet search should quickly provide you with the necessary steps to wipe all of your browsing history and data from your device, making sure your private internet viewing will remain just that – private.
Overall, 2020 has been a testing year for us all. A little generosity can go a long way in such trying times, so we urge all those who are able to donate to do so, wherever and however they can. You might just save a child’s education in the process!
