Can device donations bridge the digital divide?

Venture 1 Consulting is an IT company dedicated to delivering IT with a difference. Striving to protect the future of our people and planet, Venture 1 Consulting has partnered with Community Tech Aid to prevent e-waste and produce possibilities.

Digital divide

Technology has changed the way we live our lives, mostly for the better. It helps people learn, connect, stay healthy, and remain engaged in society. But this isn’t the case for everyone. 10 million people are digitally excluded in the UK, and limited users include elderly people, and those from low income households and BAME groups. Not having the correct equipment to get online is the biggest challenge for over a third of the digitally excluded. Venture 1 Consulting are saving these people with their device donation scheme.

2 problems, 1 solution

Venture 1 Consulting are working with Community Tech Aid to encourage the donation of unused, unwanted hardware. If not donated, such hardware would be un-environmentally disposed of, and contribute to the ever-growing e-waste crisis. Currently estimated that 53 million tonnes of e-waste is generated globally every year, this partnership cares for the planet and empowers the community.

Inclusion for all

From helping the homeless to the homeschooled, a variety of community organisations have been aided by Venture 1’s support. South-East England has the most extreme digital divide in the UK, so concentrating device donations to Lambeth and Southwark is making change where it’s really needed. The technology donated provides vital connections to the local community when housebound, essential education when English is a second language, and important employment opportunities when homeless.

Global impact

Since the start of this partnership, Venture 1 Consulting has made an impressive global impact, also. By diverting over 50kg of e-waste from landfill, the creation of new electrical equipment has been prevented, avoiding the production of 1240kg of CO2e emissions – more than the equivalent of the emissions from driving 6,000km in a diesel car!

This story shows how Venture 1 Consulting supports Goal 13: Climate Action, specifically Target 13.3: “improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.”

About Venture 1 Consulting

Founded in 2000, Venture 1 Consulting is an IT Consultancy and Managed Services company, located in London. Underpinned by ethical values, they aim to inspire and drive global environmental protection through the accumulation of small acts and behaviours.

Learn more about Venture 1 Consulting.