Nicola Kelly
twenty fifth Jul 2025
With such a digital world round us, it’s nearly not possible to remain offline for on a regular basis duties. Whether or not that’s learning for college or college, or shopping for on-line, or saving cash by way of comparability and cashback web sites, being on-line appears like an important a part of life.
However laptops and telephones value cash, to not point out discovering low-cost broadband. The excellent news is there are some methods to get free and low-cost laptops and smartphones, that will help you get on-line even when your cash is tight.
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#Getting Free laptops and computer systems
#Free or Low cost Laptops for College students
#Older individuals and technolongy
Getting free laptops and computer systems:
It isn’t simple to get one however there are schemes on the market particularly designed to assist low-income households entry to the tech they want.
Go to the library
It’s not a long-term answer, however your native library may have free web and computer systems you should use. Generally, you must guide time forward throughout busy intervals, so be sure to converse to the librarian about the way it works. Libraries supply a lot greater than books and free computer systems too: for those who’re struggling, they’re an amazing place to ask for group assist. Librarians are greater than guide shelvers, they’re a wealth of group data and may additionally know of native charities or teams who present free or subsidised know-how to these in want.
Claiming Common Credit score?
Jobseekers claiming Common Credit score could also be eligible for a grant in direction of a brand new gadget. Communicate to your job coach if it is going to make the distinction between you being out of labor or getting a job. You may as well go to the Job Centre to finish your weekly job search, do your CV, and different work-related duties in addition to verify your Common Credit score account.
Charity Grants and Assist
If you’re on common advantages, a pupil, disabled or a low revenue household, then the Charity Excellence Framework could possibly assist.
They provide a variety of laptops, computer systems, software program and IT assist and tools and have a complete checklist of organisations who could possibly assist in your space. charityexcellence.co.uk For those who don’t have entry to a pc, strive contacting the library or a group group for assist or name 07595371444 for extra data.
The Good Issues Basis is a charity which was set as much as repair the digital divide. They encourage corporations to donate their IT tools to their Nationwide Machine Financial institution and the IT tools, as soon as professionally and securely wiped of all knowledge, might be re-used throughout group organisation nationwide. To search out out extra go to www.goodthingsfoundation.org
When you have a disabled or critically unwell baby, the Household Fund can present grants for know-how to assist them with their studying and digital growth.
You possibly can apply in case you are the mother or father or carer of a disabled baby and meet the eligibility standards. Go to familyfund.org.uk for extra data or name 01904 550055 the place somebody will be capable of offer you assist with an software.
Subsidised Computer systems:
For those who aren’t eligible for a free pc you could possibly get one less expensive than within the outlets by way of organisations like Get On-line@ Residence. They promote closely discounted computer systems and tablets to prospects who meet the standards for his or her subsidy scheme.
It is advisable be a part of a low-income household that receives state advantages, lives in a group with a restricted entry to know-how or is disabled.
their PCs vary from £99, laptops from £199 and tablets from £139. Even for those who aren’t eligible for the subsidised worth, the units are nonetheless accessible to buy and less expensive than common. PCs from £119, Laptops from £219 and Tablets from £159.
The units should not backside of the barrel rejects, they’re refurbished and particularly for low revenue prospects. getonlineathome.org for extra details about how they may give you the chance that will help you.
There are incapacity grants accessible for kids and adults to assist with know-how tools, together with computer systems. There’s a complete checklist accessible on disability-grants.org however these can change so verify them out rigorously to seek out those which can fit your wants greatest.
The Restart Challenge relies in North London however they checklist reuse tasks throughout the UK that settle for units that individuals might now not want however which might be repaired and refurbished not solely to assist individuals but additionally to scale back the e-waste mountain. therestartproject.org
Free or Low cost Laptops for College students:
With More energizing’s week underway at universities throughout the UK, college students could also be turning their thoughts to having a laptop computer or different PC. If a pupil has a long run well being situation or particular studying problem like dyslexia or dyspraxia, then they might be eligible for a Disabled Scholar’s Allowance (DSA). Nonetheless the scholar must contribute £200 in direction of the pc. For those who assume you may be eligible for funding which might be a number of thousand kilos, then go to www.gov.uk and take a look at their finance pupil part and the place to seek out your native DSA evaluation centre.
Older individuals and know-how:
AbilityNet has a UK huge community of tech volunteers who supply assist to older individuals. Whether or not you want help organising a brand new gadget, connecting to the web or want assist connecting to household and mates on-line, abilitynet.org.uk might help.
Volunteers are DBS checked and might help you by telephone, over the web or at house. They might help you select tools that meets your wants in addition to steering on the best way to store safely on-line. They are going to attempt to discover a volunteer in your space. Name 08000487642 for additional data.
Libraries:
If you wish to see the way you fare with a pc earlier than committing to purchasing one in all your individual, why not pop into your native library?
Library computer systems can be found and provides you with an concept of whether or not doubtlessly proudly owning your individual PC is for you. They will even have details about teams in your group who could possibly supply coaching in addition to low-cost and refurbished units.
Don’t be afraid to ask and who is aware of, it might open up a complete new and thrilling world. And for those who can’t discover one thing best for you, you would all the time strive good offers and coupon codes – for instance, for those who get a superb eBay coupon, which may supply a pleasant low cost in your buy.
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