Giving Old Tech a New Purpose: LaunchLayer’s Community Refurb Project
Not all tech has to end up in a drawer or landfill. Some of it still has life left, and sometimes, all it needs is a bit of care to make a real difference for someone else.
Over the last few months, I’ve been thinking about how to make more of the work I already do. I help people every day with PCs, laptops, upgrades, and repairs. But what happens to the stuff that gets replaced? The machines sitting idle in cupboards? Or the ones that still work but just aren’t fast enough for the original owner?
That’s where this new project comes in.
The idea is simple
If you’ve got an old laptop or desktop you’re no longer using, I’ll take it off your hands. I’ll check it over, clean it up, fix what’s fixable, and get it back into the world. This time, it’ll go to someone who genuinely needs it.
That might be a local student trying to keep up with schoolwork. It might be a family on Universal Credit who need something for job applications or online forms. Or it could be a charity that could do more with just one extra machine.
If the machine is salvageable, I’ll rehome it. If not, I’ll recycle it properly.
What I accept
I’m mainly looking for:
Laptops, working or not
Desktops or mini PCs
Screens, keyboards, and mice
Chargers and accessories
Even if you’re not sure something is useful, feel free to ask. If I can get it working, I will. If I can’t, I’ll make sure it’s disposed of responsibly.
Where the machines go
Once a device is ready, it goes directly to someone who needs it. I’m already working with local schools, youth organisations, and community support services to make sure these machines end up in the right hands.
This isn’t a big charity program or a formal scheme. It’s just something I can do with the skills and tools I already have.
Why I’m doing it
Because working tech should stay useful. And because I know how hard it can be when you don’t have access to it.
Someone’s old or slow laptop might be the only machine another household has. If I can bridge that gap, even a little, it’s worth doing.
Want to help?
If you’ve got something to donate, send me a message or use the contact form on the site. I can arrange drop-off or collection depending on what’s easiest.
And if you’re part of a group or service that could use a few devices, please reach out. I’d love to help.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just useful tech doing something good.
