A former IT professional has launched a one-man campaign to upcycle old laptops and distribute them to families and individuals in need.

Retiring from a job in IT six years ago, Steve Newton, 70, now helps out as an IT volunteer for Jewish Care, the Association of Jewish Refugees and Borehamwood Library.

Through volunteering, he comes across a large number of people who do not have computers of their own.

“Digital exclusion is a reality for many people in our own community and wider community, so I’m trying my best to help with that,” Steve told the JC.

He said: “Many people are instructed to apply for one thing or another online by their local authority, and I see people really struggling to come in and use the publicly available computers in libraries.

“So, my aim is to convert old, unused laptops that are currently gathering dust on a shelf or hidden away in a cupboard into fully operational machines, giving them a new lease of life and distributing them to those who are the most in need.”

Steve Newton

Steve Newton during a training session

According to NHS Digital, 11.9million people (22 per cent of the population) do not have the digital skills needed for everyday life in the UK.

Steve, who is a council member at Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue came up with the idea to upcycle old laptops donated to him after reading an article in a magazine about upgrading outdated operating systems.

He began his initiative earlier this year, calling it Project Chromebook.

Steve has already supplied 12 laptops to adults and children. Another dozen are set to be distributed this week.

Describing the project as “embryonic”, he says he would like to expand the service in the future to the point of potentially registering it as a charity.

Steve, who offers IT training to people after they have received a laptop, provides the service for free. “If people think the idea is great but don’t have a laptop to donate, monetary donations are welcome to help with costs associated with the conversion process, such as purchasing power cables, new batteries and other bits and pieces,” he said. Steve assures potential donors that any old data on their laptop’s hard drive will be completely erased during the conversion process.

If you want to get involved as a donor or if you are looking for a laptop for your family, you can email Steve at: TechTalkWithSteve@VirginMedia.com