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Laptops Required

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I am Centre Manager for a Manchester (not-for-profit) Wellbeing Centre that supports people who might be experiencing emotional or psychological distress.

We support and/or organise any activities that might help people to feel better.

Currently this includes (totally free to access for local residents):

maths and english courses; painting with acrylics. drama, singing, cafe crafts, knitting groups, sewing groups, poetry, counselling, low intensity interventions, music lessons, confidence building classes, mental health advocacy, bike repair, cycle rides, yoga . . . . . . . and lots more.

If I can find a donation of 8 to 12 internet enabled laptops with MS Office loaded, we could also offer Computerised CBT (through another charity), IT qualifications and special one off sessions eg how to e bay etc.

Does anyone have any ideas, eg companies who donate etc.

Thank you

Di

Comments

  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,297 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    a) do they have to be laptops?

    I ask, because laptops are a bit 'all or nothing': they're not so easy to fiddle with and get working again if they're being thrown out because they're too slow etc.

    Whereas we were given 6 desktop machines which were 4 or 5 years old: add more memory, install Windows 7 and MS Office 2010, and away we go!

    If I'd been offered laptops, I'd probably have turned them down.

    b) do they have to have MS office?

    At the risk of getting a bit 'techie', there is a charity near where I work which refurbishes machines, installs a Linux operating system and OpenOffice on them (both free), and gives them away to people in need.

    and c) if they do have to have MS office, if you are a registered charity, then sign up to CTX! That's the only way I can afford to install Windows 7 and Office 2010 ...

    Finally, do you have anyone who writes grant applications for you, because you could always apply for funding for this as a specific project, there are lots of benefits which could spin off from it.
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    speak to your local Mental Health Trust and Manchester Council, they may have kit surplus to their requirements. Also speak to the local CVS, there may be a not for profit org in Mcr that refurbs desktops to sell at a very cheap price.
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • Diane2
    Diane2 Posts: 35 Forumite
    Hi

    a. Thanks so much for getting back to me. Unfortunately they would need to be laptops because of space issues.

    The rooms available to use need to be multi-funtional and PCs would just take up too much space (and also might give the rooms too much of an office feel for when other activities are offerred).

    We do have some tecchie volunteers who I am hoping may be able to help with this one!

    b. Am not sure about MS Office/open office. The courses would be delivered by our local college and are qualification based (ITQ and ECDL etc), so I will check with them.

    c We are a social enterprise - would that qualify us for CTX? (am quite new to this job - can you tell?:rotfl:)

    Yes we do submit bids - it sounds as though you think that would be a more realistic option on this one? I wonder if any of the big IT players have any sort of corporate responsibility funding?

    Thanks for your help Sue.

    Di x
  • Laptops are expensive to repair. Also, why don't you scrap the expensive Microsoft Office and use OpenOffice instead, or if the computers will be connected to the Internet use Google Office, which helps them to better understand networks and collaboration.
  • Diane2
    Diane2 Posts: 35 Forumite
    Thank you too Errata :)
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Diane - these people may be of help, or be able to point you in the direction of an organisation that can
    Good luck !
    http://www.boltonsteps.org.uk/fix_it.php
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • Diane2
    Diane2 Posts: 35 Forumite
    That sounds great thank you.

    I'll give them a ring next week!

    Thanks again :)

    Di
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,297 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Diane2 wrote: »
    c We are a social enterprise - would that qualify us for CTX? (am quite new to this job - can you tell?:rotfl:)
    I'm not sure, I'm afraid you'd have to look at their website and see if it will let you register. I suspect that if you're not a registered charity you won't be able to do so, but I really can't remember.
    Diane2 wrote: »
    Yes we do submit bids - it sounds as though you think that would be a more realistic option on this one? I wonder if any of the big IT players have any sort of corporate responsibility funding?
    Yes, I do think putting in a funding bid and getting all your machines the same spec would be more realistic, even if they're refurbed through the project Errata pointed you to or somewhere similar.

    It is possible to waste a huge amount of time trying to troubleshoot computers, and if they're all the same spec at least you know how they all should work!
    Signature removed for peace of mind
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