Meet the Makers & Maintainers: Community TechAid

Community TechAid is one of ten community businesses funded by the Power To Change Makers & Maintainers programme, which supports community businesses who are already on a journey of creating community tech – technology that can meet their specific needs, respects their autonomy and creates value that sticks to places.

Meet Community TechAid

Community TechAid was founded in 2020 by a group of volunteers keen to address the digital divide within their local communities of Lambeth and Southwark in south London. 

All had something in common: they were Lambeth residents who wanted to address the challenges faced by people who are cut off from local connections because of digital poverty – brought into sharp focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. They recognised that providing sustainable access to the technology, skills and opportunities to get online empowers individuals and communities.

Now, Community TechAid’s small team of staff and growing number of volunteers operate a circular economy: they collect, repair, refurbish and reuse unwanted technology, including laptops and smartphones, returning it to the local community where it is needed. To date they have worked with over 250 organisations ranging from schools, refugee groups, food banks and shelters to mental health support services and organisations supporting older adults, those with disabilities and young carers.

Community TechAid is a community hub, providing a space to learn and ask questions about technology whilst supporting hundreds to get online. They deliver workshops and digital skills sessions to increase participants' confidence, digital literacy and overall wellbeing, helping them to fully engage with their device and experience the benefits of being online. Every project they undertake is a partnership, working  with schools, local authorities, MPs and businesses across Lambeth and Southwark. 

As well as working to tackle digital exclusion, Community TechAid champions the right to repair and promote recycling of technology. By working with donated equipment, they help to divert e-waste from landfill, creating a sustainable solution to the digital divide. From the start they have pledged to refurbish or recycle 100% of donations that they receive.

Creating and using community tech

As Community TechAid has grown, their staff team and community of volunteers have all helped to develop how they refurbish the technology they receive.

Community TechAid’s Device Processing Management App is central to their operation. Developed by a volunteer, the app tracks each device’s journey, enabling Community TechAid to share with their donors and partners what happens to it, from receiving the device to returning it to the community. 

Photo Credit: Lambeth Council, Gorm Ashurst

“Community tech is fundamental to how we support our community. Our incredible team of volunteers and our wonderful network of donors and partners help us to put tech into the hands of those without. 

“Our community technology has, and always will be for the community. Every piece of hardware that enters Community TechAid is for community members, whether for an individual experiencing digital poverty or for another community organisation helping improve the lives of others in south London.”

Cat Smith, CEO

Funding from the Makers & Maintainers programme will help Community TechAid to develop their open-source software further and return it to the community as a resource that others can use to run their own projects. 

For example, they are looking at ways of increasing recipient organisations’ involvement by creating member spaces on the platform, allowing them to monitor their own device requests. They also aim to develop a toolkit alongside the app to support other groups with aspirations to do something similar, strengthening partnerships and encouraging a network of sharing tools and knowledge.

The Community TechAid team say that creating and using community tech has increased their knowledge of hardware and software, as well as ensuring they stay relevant and informed about local needs. Their learning has enabled them to build deeper relationships with members of their community and become trusted by councils, the NHS, schools and others to look after their equipment and ensure that it has a positive impact in the community.

How community tech is strengthening local communities

Community TechAid’s work is firmly rooted in its commitment to empowering the local communities of Lambeth and Southwark and enabling them to benefit from being online. They recognise that access to technology is empowering and can increase independence, but access is not a given, and many people struggle without a device and digital skills. 

Over 90% of Community TechAid’s partners have reported that their support has improved the wellbeing of their clients, with positive impacts on both digital and social inclusion. Other community members they work with have said that they are now able to manage their bills and debt more effectively, and that they are able to access information about what they are entitled to, legally and financially.

“Community TechAid is life-changing for the clients that receive devices. The team works hard to ensure that they provide good advice, great products and with excellent customer service. 

“Community TechAid is a gem in our community and we are blessed to have them supporting us.”

St Matthew’s Church, Lambeth

“My laptop has become my best friend. Something I would never have had access to without Community TechAid.”

Judith, Beneficiary

Many of Community TechAid’s volunteers have previously used their services, and were themselves digitally excluded. The volunteering opportunities provided by Community TechAid provides a further opportunity to develop people’s tech skills and confidence, with nine out 10 having developed new skills as a result. Volunteers have also shared their pride in working alongside people who share their values, towards a common goal.

“I have loved meeting a positive, committed, talented and open group of individuals who share a common goal to improve the quality of life through tech for all members of our community. Community TechAid's ethos of community action coupled with green awareness is powerful and something I am proud to be part of.”

Michael, Volunteer

Community TechAid is the only organisation in the local community providing a long-term sustainable solution to the lack of access to technology. Without their intervention, digital inclusion for many would remain an impossibility.

Find out more about the programme

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We’d love to hear from you as we shape this exciting, growing field in 2023.