SocialBox.Biz Laptops for Homeless and Vulnerable Initiative helping young refugees realize their potential

London, UK, May 25, 2020 - The Laptops for Homeless and Vulnerable Initiative has been delivering help to refugees and asylum-seekers to help them overcome challenges in terms of digital exclusion via its reuse and re-homing platform. Founder of SocialBox.Biz Peter Paduh came to London as an unaccompanied child refugee and understands this unique predicament. Through his organisation, those in need are provided with reused laptops via many partnering accommodation and homelessness charities that are working with refugees. Laptops and tablets and other re-used devices provided by SocialBox.Biz are helping many refugees communicate with loved ones, get jobs, and pursue educations.

Earlier this month, SocialBox.Biz was featured in the All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration (APPG) report entitled ‘Social Connection in the COVID-19 Crisis’. This new report explores social inclusion and digital exclusion in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the report and ONS statistics (2018), 5.3 million adults in the UK have no internet access. During the pandemic, 39% of people ages 18-24 report being more lonely, while nearly 20% of those ages 65+ report the same.

The report also highlights challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including the homeless, older people, refugees, and asylum-seekers.

SocialBox.Biz and the Laptops for the Homeless and Vulnerable Initiative have been helping these groups by providing reused, donated laptops loaded with open source software for years already, putting internet access into the hands of those who need it the most. While they usually offer IT skills workshops in-person, they are now offering these classes over the phone.

Peter Paduh, founder of SocialBox.Biz said:

"SocialBox.Biz has been helping vulnerable people in and around London for some years, and now, the Laptops for Homeless and Vulnerable Initiative is being expanded as we have developed processes, procedures and systems to help thousands. The organisation is seeking support to ramp up collections."

They have estimated that a shift in procurement policies for old tech towards local social impact can reduce digital exclusion by one third and they are appealing to the public sector organisations to make this shift. Details can be found at https://www.socialbox.biz/socialbox-biz-media-pack/

SocialBox.Biz launched Laptops for Refugees initiative in Brent, North West London with a laptop handover, at a refugee education network which marked the start of a number of laptop handovers to charities already working with refugees.

London Borough of Brent Councillor Anton Georgiou said:

"Everyone deserves access to the tools to enable them to achieve their full potential. The work being done by SocialBox.Biz, is leading the way with initiatives like Laptops for the Homeless and Vulnerable.”

Refugee Case studies

RSN in Brent, North West London

https://twitter.com/Refugee_Support/status/1245353742326792193

https://www.socialbox.biz/case-study-fatimah-a-young-refugee-beneficiary-of-socialbox-biz/

https://www.socialbox.biz/socialbox-biz-working-with-refugee/

C4WS in Central London

https://www.socialbox.biz/get-to-know-3-individuals-we-support-at-c4wshomelessproject/

British Red Cross

https://www.socialbox.biz/young-unaccompanied-refugees-benefit-from-laptops-so-they-can-do-their-homework-case-study/

https://www.socialbox.biz/the-power-of-kindness-british-red-cross-case-study-update/

For additional case studies and to share on social media

https://twitter.com/socialboxbiz

https://www.socialbox.biz/news-posts/

If you are the leader or employee of a business or an organisation, we invite you to explore our cause. We need partners like you to help us reach the vulnerable with unused tech. Getting started is easy. Simply contact SocialBox.Biz today to begin!

https://www.socialbox.biz/contact-us/

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