Business Details
13 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for IT Services in Stockport
Community Computers is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to bridging the digital divide through sustainable technology reuse. Established in 2013 under the registered charity Renewal North West, we specialise in securely refurbishing donated IT equipment and redistributing it to underserved communities across Trafford, Stockport, and Manchester. Our mission combines environmental responsibility with social impact, offering free and subsidised devices to individuals, schools, and community organisations while providing employment training for those facing barriers to work. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, we ensure rigorous data destruction standards and transparent asset tracking, partnering with local authorities to deliver measurable social value. Our operations prevent e-waste through certified recycling processes, align with GDPR compliance, and support digital inclusion initiatives like pop-up tech shops and device lending libraries.By transforming retired corporate technology into tools for education and connection, we create opportunities for digital access while reducing carbon footprints. Our team of IT professionals and volunteers delivers hands-on expertise in hardware refurbishment, data sanitisation, and logistics, maintaining Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher licensing for legal software installation. Through partnerships with Manchester City Council, Trafford Council, and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, we ensure technology reaches those most in need. Our commitment extends beyond hardware redistribution to include comprehensive ESG reporting for businesses and free data destruction services with audit trails. By reinvesting value back into communities, we foster economic resilience and digital literacy across Greater Manchester.
Services
IT Asset Tracking
Data Destruction
Device Refurbishment
Digital Inclusion Programs
ESG Reporting
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- ISO 9001:2015 certified for quality management systems
- Free collections and data destruction services with certificates
- Partnerships with Manchester City Council and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
- Provides employment training for long-term unemployed individuals
- Microsoft Third Party Refurbisher licensing for legal software installation
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001:2015
Services
IT Asset Tracking
Our INAC system provides real-time GPS tracking for IT assets throughout the recycling process. With comprehensive reporting tools, we deliver full visibility of device handling, data destruction methods, and environmental impact metrics. This ISO-certified solution ensures compliance with audit trails detailing carbon footprint savings and landfill diversion statistics.
Data Destruction
We employ multiple certified methods including degaussing, physical destruction, and secure erasure using NCSC-certified software. Each process generates tamper-proof certificates with device serial numbers and destruction verification. Our GDPR-compliant approach handles SSDs, HDDs, and mobile devices while maintaining audit-ready documentation for corporate donors.
Device Refurbishment
Retired corporate devices undergo professional refurbishment with genuine Windows installation and security software. As Microsoft-licensed refurbishers, we ensure legal software compliance while preparing equipment for redistribution. Approximately 25% of devices are gifted to digitally excluded individuals through local authority partnerships and community programmes.
Digital Inclusion Programs
We operate Stockport's Digital Device Lending Library and mobile tech shops, providing affordable devices to low-income households. Our initiatives include pop-up distribution centres in digitally deprived areas and skills training for unemployed individuals seeking IT sector careers through hands-on refurbishment experience.
ESG Reporting
We generate detailed environmental impact reports tracking carbon savings, landfill diversion, and device reuse rates. These auditable documents help businesses demonstrate CSR compliance while showing tangible social value through community technology distribution statistics and digital inclusion outcomes.
People
Chris Bennett
Project Manager
IT professional with 20+ years in charity sector, specialising in digital inclusion. Holds Masters in Advanced Networking and PowerShell automation expertise. Leads Community Computers' efforts to bridge the digital divide through technology redistribution.
Robert Griffies
IT Technician
Qualified IT technician with 5 years' experience in hardware/software diagnostics. Specialises in first-time fixes for devices undergoing refurbishment. Combines technical proficiency with customer-focused service delivery for corporate and community technology assets.
Shawn Mam
Erasure Tech
Data destruction specialist with 4 years' experience handling Apple devices and smartphones. Expert in secure wiping protocols and physical media destruction. Ensures compliance with industry standards while maintaining device reuse potential where appropriate.
Questions
How can businesses arrange free IT equipment collection?
Complete our online form specifying your organisation type. Free collections depend on device quantity and location within our service areas.
What data destruction standards do you follow?
We use ISO-certified methods including degaussing, physical destruction, and NCSC-approved software erasure compliant with GDPR and NIST 800-88 standards.
How do residents donate personal IT equipment?
Residents can drop off devices at Stockport or Manchester libraries, which securely hold items until our collection cycles every 2-3 weeks.
What happens to collected devices?
Devices undergo secure data destruction, professional refurbishment with genuine software, then redistribution to digitally excluded individuals or responsible recycling.
Do you provide proof of data destruction?
Yes, we supply tamper-proof certificates linked to device serial numbers, detailing destruction methods and compliance with industry standards.
How do local authorities benefit from your services?
We offer free asset tracking, 50% social value device reinvestment, pop-up tech shops, and monthly reporting to support local digital inclusion strategies.
