Almost 400 retired mobile phones will be refurbished, reused and repurposed, helping people access essential digital services and opportunities through a collaboration with Places for People, Computers 4 Good and Trowers & Hamlins.
The three organisations have come together to ensure hundreds of retired mobile phones continue creating value long after their original use. For people without a suitable device, everyday activities such as accessing essential services, managing finances, applying for jobs, completing schoolwork or training, and staying connected with family and friends can be much harder. As more services and opportunities move online, access to technology is becoming increasingly important.
The collaboration grew from discussions between international law firm Trowers & Hamlins and its client Places for People, a social enterprise and property management group, about how technology no longer required by the firm could help create opportunities for others. The phones will be securely processed by tech charity, Computers 4 Good, refurbished and distributed through its work with Places for People residents and wider community programmes. Computers 4 Good's will further support other activities helping individuals, charities and community organisations access technology.
Michael Jopling, Social Value Project Manager at Places for People, said:
"Having access to a suitable device can help residents build digital confidence, access essential services and pursue education, training and employment opportunities. Helping people participate fully in an increasingly digital world is an important part of creating thriving communities. These phones will provide practical support to residents who might otherwise struggle to access the technology they need."
Blaine Tatum, Chief Operating Officer at Computers 4 Good, said:
"Every device we receive has the potential to make a difference long after its first use. We refurbish and redistribute technology to support individuals, charities and community organisations, ensuring useful equipment does not go to waste. These phones will help support our work making technology more accessible, including through our partnership with Places for People, while ensuring valuable resources remain in circulation."
Lee Collier, Sustainability Manager at Trowers & Hamlins, said:
"These phones had reached the end of their working life with us, but not the end of their useful life. Giving them a second life is a practical way to connect our sustainability and social inclusion work. It keeps valuable technology in circulation while helping address the barriers that can prevent people from accessing essential digital services and opportunities."
This collaboration forms part of Trowers & Hamlins' wider efforts to support social inclusion and extend the life of existing technology. Separately, the firm has provided 400 retired mobile phones to Every Child Online, which refurbishes and redistributes technology to children and young people who may otherwise struggle to access suitable devices.
Together, these initiatives will give almost 800 phones the opportunity for continued use, helping more people access digital technology while keeping valuable resources in circulation.
