Alumnus’ social enterprise donates repurposed laptops to elderly to help them stay connected during coronavirus pandemic

Peter Paduh’s Camden-based social enterprise SocialBox.Biz is providing hundreds of repurposed laptops that are donated by businesses to help elderly and at-risk people stay connected to their loved ones while isolating during the coronavirus pandemic.

Through the initiative, the organisers are teaching the elderly how to communicate with their families and friends online, how to contact services and how to order food. 

To keep up with demand during the pandemic, SocialBox.Biz have urged that more donations are needed. 

The company aims to improve the local community with dynamic tech solutions, and their initiatives are designed to get laptops into the hands of at-risk individuals during this pandemic. They are also supporting the homeless and refugees through their initiatives, as well as training at-risk job seekers and offering computer skills classes and e-learning to those who cannot attend university.

Talking about the initiative, SocialBox.Biz Founder and Westminster alumnus Peter Paduh said: “A computer provides access to loved ones without physical contact during this crisis. My initiative provides computers to empower vulnerable disadvantaged people to gain access to the internet, to enable and to promote the principle of self-determination via access to the internet.

“People are able to socialise online with their community, friends and family, order necessities like groceries and more. For some people who are already isolated like the elderly, this is their only contact with the outside world.”

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