Older People On Low Income Access Refurbished Computers

'Silver Surfers' in Islington benefit from Maxitech.biz and Age Concern Computers for Older People Appeal. Recycled computers will be given away to three older people residents of Islington who are involved with Age Concern Islington's empowering work with local older people. This will mark the launch of the Age Concern Islington and Maxitech's Appeal for Computers for Older People.

(PRWEB) June 7, 2004 -- On Friday 11 June 2004 at 2 pm at Sotheby's in Islington (Sotheby Mews Day Centre, Sotheby Rd, off Blackstock Rd, London N5) recycled computers will be given away to three older people residents of Islington who are involved with Age Concern Islington's empowering work with local older people. This will mark the launch of the Age Concern Islington and Maxitech's Appeal for Computers for Older People.

Maxitech.biz are asking the IT directors of London and UK based companies to donate their old PCs rather than dump them so they can be put to good use through this environmentally and socially beneficial programme. As many as two million working Pentium, or equivalent PCs, are dumped in landfill sites in the UK every year.

In Autumn 2004, the EU's Waste and Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 2003 Directive comes into force. It will require that redundant electrical equipment is re-used or recycled and not dumped. Therefore, for legal as well as social reasons, building an environmental disposal strategy into IT purchasing is now essential for all businesses.

As well as helping the socially disadvantaged to obtain access to IT training Maxitech.biz delivers a number of other social, environmental and economically beneficial schemes for processing end of life electrical and IT equipment in response to the new legislation and, as a result, is one of the fastest growing social enterprises in the UK.

The company provides training to the unemployed; a minimum of 60% of its trainees come, from disadvantaged backgrounds (such as refugees) and 60% of its employees were formerly unemployed. Maxitech also strives to be one of the leading authorities on environmental and socially responsible re-use of redundant electrical and electronic equipment.

Peter Paduh, Managing Director of Maxitech.biz Limited said, "There are well over 50,000 older people over the age of 55 on low incomes in London alone who cannot afford to buy a computer for home use but who could benefit from having one. There is clearly a need for these items in Islington and also throughout the UK."

Kate Tansley, Project Manager at Age Concern Islington said, "Age Concern Islington is enabling local older people to build confidence and increased skills of IT so they can access computers and the Internet and improve their daily lives. We are delighted to be working with Maxitech and thank them for their wonderful contribution to older people's lives."

CLLR Laura Willoughby, Member of The Islington Executive said, "Age is no longer a barrier to getting on-line and in Islington the number of older people enhancing their life by using the net is growing. Computers and especially recycled computers are important to ensure that surfing the net is not a luxury for those that can afford it."

Companies that would like to be involved should contact Maxitech.biz via email AgeConcern @ Maxitech.biz or Telephone: 0870 199 5010.

Notes for Editors
Maxitech.biz is a multi-award-winning, socially and environmentally focused company dedicated to reusing and recycling redundant IT and electronic equipment. Based in London, the company can arrange for the nationwide collection of IT and electronic equipment at low cost. Maxitech's preference is to reuse equipment received, thus prolonging its lifespan, minimising waste and benefiting charities and community groups who receive low-cost or free IT equipment. Maxitech provides more than 100 training opportunities each year for refugees and long-term unemployed people through its Edge Employer Award winning programme, to help them get into full-time employment. For further information visit www.maxitech.biz

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