Frequently asked questions

Clear, friendly answers to help you get the support you need, or help others get online.

Digital inclusion can feel confusing or overwhelming.
We’ve kept things simple, supportive and jargon‑free so you can find the information you need quickly.

General FAQs

Where do the laptops go?

To people who need them most. Including older adults, care leavers, disabled people, refugees, survivors of domestic abuse, jobseekers, homeless individuals, families on low incomes and people with long‑term health conditions.

Why do you focus on laptops?

Laptops are essential for education, job applications, training, benefits systems, healthcare portals and digital skills development.
Phones alone are not enough.

Do you sell donated laptops?

We aim to pass on as many laptops as possible directly to people who need them. However, building laptops, providing internet access, offering one-to-one digital skills support and running the programme all come with real costs.

Where funding is available, or where donors are able to offer financial support alongside devices, we can donate all suitable laptops for digital inclusion. If not, we may sell a proportion of donated devices to help cover these essential costs. Visit our eBay store.

Any income generated goes straight back into our charitable work, helping more people get online and keeping more tech in use.

How is Tech-Takeback Foundation funded?

Through grants, sponsorship, corporate partnerships, community support and the sale of some donated tech.

Why do you use refurbished laptops?

Because every laptop has the potential to open doors: doors to learning, healing, independence, safety, and opportunity.

Reuse matters because people matter.
Reuse matters because the planet matters.
Reuse matters because a circular future is the only sustainable one.

Reusing laptops also allows us to purpose-build each laptop for the individual who will be using it; for example, by installing foreign language keyboards or accessibility software.

Questions for people requesting a laptop

What if I don't live in a priority area?

If you live somewhere else in the UK, you can still apply. We will add your details to our waiting list. Please understand that:

we may not be able to give you a laptop
we do not know when, or if, a laptop will be available in your area

Do you provide Internet access too?

Yes. If you don’t have internet at home, we can help you access mobile data or signpost you to affordable options.

Do I need to prove my situation?

No. We don’t ask for financial evidence or intrusive documents.
We only need enough information to understand how a laptop would help you.

How long will it take to receive a laptop?

Times vary depending on availability and demand, but we aim to contact applicants as quickly as possible. We’ll update you throughout the process.

Can someone apply on my behalf?

Yes. Support workers, teachers, carers, social workers, health professionals, charities and community groups can all submit referrals. You can also ask someone to help you if you are unable to complete the application by yourself.

Is the laptop mine to keep?

Yes. Your laptop is yours, it’s not a loan. We'll provide ongoing support if you have any issues.

Can you help me complete the online form?

If you need support to complete the application form, please contact us. A member of our team will be happy to help you.

Do you provide training or support?

Yes. We can help with:

learning to use your laptop
staying safe online
using email and video calls
job searching
digital skills for work

You'll be offered this when we approve your application.

Am I eligible for a free laptop?

If you don’t have access to a working laptop and are facing financial or personal barriers to getting online, you can apply. At the moment, we have funding to give laptops to people in Brighton and Hove, City of London, Barbican and Tower Hamlets.

Request a laptop

Questions for referrers (professionals)

Can I make multiple referrals?

Yes. Many organisations make regular referrals. Please complete a separate referral for each person who needs a laptop.

What information do I need to provide?

Just a clear explanation of how a laptop will help your client.
We don’t require financial documents or ID unless it’s helpful to the applicant.

Can you support people with complex needs?

Yes. We regularly support people facing homelessness, domestic abuse, trauma, disability, mental health challenges and language barriers.

Do you support households, not just individuals?

Yes. If more than one household member needs a device, we’ll look at this on a case‑by‑case basis.

Make a referral

What devices can I donate?

We accept working laptops running Windows 10 or above. Chargers are helpful but not essential.
We can accept single laptops or large bulk donations.

Can I get a receipt for my donation?

Yes, we provide all the necessary paperwork to confirm collection and transfer of ownership of your devices.

Do you securely erase data?

If you need us to data erase your devices, or if they have not already undergone certified data erasure, we can arrange this for you via our contracted service delivery partner, TTB CircularIT.

We charge £12.50 per device for this service, reflecting the real costs we incur for certified data erasure and refurbishment. Your devices will be erased to NCSC standards, and you'll receive full ICO-compliant certification.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of devices that I can donate?

No, we welcome both small and large donations.a

Do you collect devices?

Yes, we collect using our electric van. Collections can be arranged for businesses, workplaces and community organisations.

We primarily collect from businesses in East and West Sussex, Surrey and London, but we will be happy to explore options if you are further afield.

Do you feed back on outcomes?

Yes, with an enhanced reporting package for partners who regularly donate laptops or provide financial support.

What if my laptops are old or broken, or I have other tech, like phones or tablets.

Tech-Takeback Foundation is now a separate organisation from TTB CircularIT, and can only accept working laptops. We recognise that occasional broken devices may be mixed in with donations. We'll repair these if we can, and recycle them if we can't.

TTB CircularIT continues to provide a secure and ICO-compliant collection, data-erasure and reuse service for all data-bearing tech, regardless of age or condition. Other options include manufacturer take-back schemes, or electrical recycling schemes if your devices are unlikely to be reused

Questions for people donating laptops

Donate laptops

Can my business partner with you?

Yes. We work with companies of all sizes to support digital inclusion, reuse unwanted tech and generate social value.

Can we sponsor you even if we don't have laptops to donate?

Absolutely and yes please! Sponsorship helps fund vital elements of our services that laptop donations alone can't achieve:

application support and referral scheme
refurbishment and bespoke rebuilds, including parts and individual accessibility adaptations
connectivity
digital skills support

Do you offer workplace tech donation drives?

Yes. We can support you to run a simple, impactful tech collection event at your office.

Do you offer social value reporting?

Yes. Partners receive transparent, verified impact reporting covering:

number of devices rehomed
environmental impact
social value generated
case study highlights

Can we volunteer with you?

Yes, opportunities include supporting collection days, spreading awareness, laptop disassembly, supporting digital skills training and helping with fundraising.