Frequently asked questions

Digital inclusion can feel confusing or overwhelming.
We’ve kept things simple, supportive and jargon‑free so you can find the information you need quickly.

General FAQs

Where do the laptops go?

To people who need them most. Including older adults, care leavers, disabled people, refugees, survivors of domestic abuse, jobseekers, homeless individuals, families on low incomes and people with long‑term health conditions.

Why do you focus on laptops?

Laptops are essential for education, job applications, training, benefits systems, healthcare portals and digital skills development.
Phones alone are not enough.

Do you sell donated laptops?

We aim to pass on as many laptops as possible directly to people who need them. However, building laptops, providing internet access, offering one-to-one digital skills support and running the programme all come with real costs.

Where funding is available, or where donors are able to offer financial support alongside devices, we can donate all suitable laptops for digital inclusion. If not, we may sell a small proportion of donated devices to help cover these essential costs; something we’ll always discuss with you in advance. Any devices that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 will be sold or repurposed into ChromeBooks, dependent on demand.

Any income generated goes straight back into our charitable work, helping more people get online and keeping more tech in use.

What if my laptop(s) are old or broken, or I have other tech, like phones or tablets?

Tech-Takeback Foundation is now a separate organisation from Tech-Takeback Enterprises, and can only accept working laptops.

However, Tech-Takeback Enterprises continues to provide a secure and ICO-compliant collection, data-erasure and reuse service for all data-bearing tech.

Other options include manufacturer take-back schemes, or electrical recycling schemes if your devices are unlikely to be reused.

What areas do you cover?

We provide digital inclusion support across the UK, with priority for Brighton & Hove and London due to current funding and logistics.
We primarily collect from businesses in East and West Sussex, Surrey and London, but we will be happy to explore options if you are further afield.

How is Tech-Takeback Foundation funded?

Through grants, sponsorship, corporate partnerships, community support and the sale of some donated tech.

How can I help if I don't have laptops to donate?

• You can:

  • sponsor a refurbished device

  • fund digital training

  • run a workplace tech drive

  • spread the word

  • become a partner

  • donate financially

Questions for people requesting a laptop

Am I eligible for a free laptop?

If you don’t have access to a working laptop and you’re facing financial or personal barriers to getting online, you can apply. We support people across the UK, with priority for Brighton & Hove and London.

Do you provide Internet access too?

Yes — if you don’t have internet at home, we can help you access mobile data or signpost you to affordable options.

Do I need to prove my situation?

No. We don’t ask for financial evidence or intrusive documents.
We only need enough information to understand how a laptop would help you.

How long will it take to receive a laptop?

Times vary depending on availability and demand, but we aim to contact applicants as quickly as possible. We’ll update you throughout the process.

Can someone apply on my behalf?

Yes. Support workers, teachers, carers, social workers, health professionals, charities and community groups can all submit referrals.

Is the laptop mine to keep?

Yes. Your laptop is yours, it’s not a loan. We'll provide ongoing support if you have any issues.

What kind of laptop will I receive?

A refurbished device suitable for learning, job searching, video calls, online forms, health services and daily tasks.
If you have specific needs (e.g. accessibility tools), we’ll prepare the device accordingly.

Do you provide training or support.

Yes. We can help with:

• learning to use your laptop

• staying safe online

• accessing health services

• using email and video calls

• job searching

• digital confidence

You'll be offered this when we approve your application.

Questions for referrers (professionals)

Can I make multiple referrals?

Yes. Many organisations — councils, charities, health teams, schools — make regular referrals.

What information do I need to provide?

Just a clear explanation of how a laptop will help your client.
We don’t require financial documents or ID unless it’s helpful to the applicant.

Can you support people with complex needs?

Yes. We regularly support people facing homelessness, domestic abuse, trauma, disability, mental health challenges and language barriers.

Do you support households, not just individuals?

Yes. If more than one household member needs a device, we’ll look at this on a case‑by‑case basis.

What devices can I donate?

We accept working laptops running Windows 10 or above. Chargers are helpful but not essential.
We can accept single laptops or large bulk donations.

Can I get a receipt for my donation?

Yes, we provide all the necessary paperwork to confirm collection and transfer of ownership of your devices.

Do you securely erase data?

If you need us to data erase your devices, or if they have not already undergone certified data erasure, we can arrange this for you via our contracted service delivery partner, Tech-Takeback Enterprises.

We charge £12.50 per device for this service, reflecting the real costs we incur for certified data erasure and refurbishment. Your devices will be erased to HMG infosec5 standards, and you'll receive full ICO-compliant certification.

Is there minimum or maximum number of devices that I can donate?

No, we welcome both small and large donations.

Do you collect devices?

Yes — we collect using our electric van. Collections can be arranged for businesses, workplaces and community organisations.

Do you feed back on outcomes?

Yes, with an enhanced reporting package for partners who regularly donate laptops or provide financial support.

What if my device is broken?

Tech-Takeback Foundation is now a separate organisation from Tech-Takeback Enterprises, and can only accept working laptops. We recognise that occasional broken devices may be mixed in with donations. We'll repair these if we can, and recycle them if we can't.

Tech-Takeback Enterprises continues to provide a secure and ICO-compliant collection, data-erasure and reuse service for all data-bearing tech, regardless of age or condition.

Questions for people donating laptops

Can my business partner with you?

Yes. We work with companies of all sizes to support digital inclusion, reuse unwanted tech and generate social value.

Can we sponsor you even if we don't have laptops to donate?

Absolutely and yes please! Sponsorship helps fund vital elements of our services that laptop donations alone can't achieve:

• refurbishment

• bespoke rebuilds, with accessibility and other needs accommodated

• parts and repairs

• connectivity

• digital skills support

Do you offer workplace tech donation drives?

Yes. We can support you to run a simple, impactful tech collection event at your office.

Do you offer social value reporting?

Yes. Partners receive transparent, verified impact reporting covering:

• number of devices rehomed

• environmental impact

• social value generated

• case study highlights

Can we volunteer with you?

Yes, opportunities include supporting collection days, spreading awareness, laptop disassembly, supporting digital skills training and helping with fundraising.

Questions about corporate parterships

Because every laptop has the potential to open doors: doors to learning, healing, independence, safety, and opportunity.

Reuse matters because people matter.

Reuse matters because the planet matters.

Reuse matters because a circular future is the only sustainable one.

Why reuse matters to us