Frequently Asked Questions

Yes of course! You can drop your item with us at Community TechAid or at one of our drop points. Visit our drop points to see locations. Before you drop off please remove any account linked to your smartphone or tablet.

If you have multiple devices we can arrange a collection. Please fill in the form and let us know that you need us to collect it. Please provide your full postal address and a mobile number so that we can get in touch to arrange this. Please note that we are based in Lambeth so are normally unable to collect outside of London. If you live further away, you can send it via DHL through DropPoint or you can drop off a device at one of our drop point locations.

Once we have received your device, wiped all the data and checked it's functionality, it will get allocated to one of the many organisations we support. It will then be collected or delivered to the recipient. The device remains theirs to keep, and they will be provided with guidance and support if required. You can see the impact your device has on the local community here. If your device does not work, or can no longer receive the required updates, we will pass it onto our recycling partner ToRecycle. ToRecycle ensures that 95% of e-waste does not go to landfill. If you have donated a device and want to know how it was used, please get in touch!

Laptops, smartphones, and tablets There is no age limit on what devices we accept because while we always aim to fully refurbish donated devices, anything we cannot use with will be used for parts and then recycled Please be sure to factory reset your phone or tablet otherwise we may be unable to refurbish and redistribute it Peripherals (keyboards, mice, webcams, etc.) Headphones Kindles Older phones (that are not smartphones) We can accept these but if they are locked to a network provider then we would be unable to use them Laptop and phone chargers Computer cabling Can be accepted when donating other devices Sustainability goes hand in hand with digital inclusion so we are always happy to have a chat about exactly what we can and can't accept! If you have any other questions please email donations@communitytechaid.org.uk

We run a fresh install on devices, so they need to be able to turn on when we receive them. However, even computers which cannot be turned on often have useful parts we can use on other devices. We will always try to use the whole device, and if not will use certain elements for parts. Anything that we cannot recycle at CTA is sent to our recycling partner ToRecyle, who will harvest the devices for materials, ensuring that they don't end up in landfill. If a mobile or tablet screen is cracked but usable, we’ll be happy to consider it. However, we cannot repair or replace smashed or damaged screens. Similarly, if a mobile or tablet cannot be turned on we will be unable to use it. However, charger cables and plugs, computer power converters and leads in good condition are very helpful as many devices are donated without them. If you are still unsure, drop us a message: donations@communitytechaid.org.uk

Our volunteer tech experts wipe all data from every device before it is given to someone in need. However, if you wish to delete data and/or factory reset your device before you donate it to us, you can find a number of online guides to do so. For instance, there is this Which? Guide for Windows computers and Chromebooks, this guide for Android phones, this guide from Apple for Macs and this one for iPhones and iPads. If you're still unsure and want some further help please get in touch or take a look at our data removal policy.

We remove all data from donated devices as soon as reasonably possible on arrival to Community TechAid to standards set by the National Cyber Security Centre. For more information on how we remove data please take a look at our data wiping statement.

We currently only provide support for those who live and/or work in Lambeth and Southwark. If your organisation is outside of these areas but the recipient is not, they are eligible for a device. Please feel free to contact us at contact@communitytechaid.org.uk and we will do our best to assist, and answer any questions.

We can! We are now offering one-to-one Device Quickstart sessions to support people with their new device. Each session will run for 30 minutes and will cover the user's specific needs, including device set-up and foundational skills such as changing passwords and connecting to the internet. We will also assist with specific support, such as installing a new program or making use of a hotspot device, and signposting to additional support classes and online courses. All organisation requests will be offered a slot for their recipient, and those who have previously received a device will be welcome to book. When you are booking, please provide a brief summary of what support will be required during the session to ensure we have the most suitable person to assist.

If you are in need of a device please make a request with a supporting organisation to get in touch. You can see a list of organisations we have worked with here.

At Community TechAid we pride ourselves on reusing and recycling technology. We make use of every donation that comes through to us, so that it can go on to lead a new life connecting our communities. If we receive devices that can’t be refurbished, we aim to use as much of the device as possible. We remove component parts including memory, keyboard keys and chargers that we can use in other devices, before ensuring all data is removed and it is sustainably and ethically recycled. We also work with ToRecyle who aim to divert 95% of any waste from landfill by recycling computers, laptops and electrical items for their component parts and up cycling back into the community.