Age Concern London and Maxitech Launch New Initiative To Open Up The Online World For London's Older People

Age Concern London and multi-award-winning computer refurbishment company Maxitech (www.maxitech.biz) have joined forces in a new initiative that aims to open up the online world to London's older citizens.

The initiative will see thousands of older people gaining access to computers and training through Age Concern London. The charity will ensure that the computers are given to housebound older people in their communities, with some computers kept at Age Concern drop in centres for older people to use there.

As a part of the project, businesses are encouraged to send computers they no longer need to Maxitech, which will be safely wiped, refurbished and some distributed to Age Concern centres in the capital. Some PCs are sold to small businesses unable to afford new computers to fund the project and Maxitech's Edge Employer award winning training programme for unemployed people.

In addition the project hopes to increase the recycling of IT equipment by London based companies and create a long term infrastructure for the collection and processing of redundant IT equipment in London creating sustainable environmental benefits.

Age Concern London Chief Executive Samantha Mauger said: 'These computers will give the older people who receive them the opportunity to communicate with friends and relatives, develop new interests, as well as enabling them to have access to health and advice. This will make such a difference to the lives of many older people who find it hard to get out due to illness, disability or mobility problems, and find everyday tasks such as shopping and banking and even socializing difficult. Helping them to improve their computer skills and giving them access to the internet will give older people, who would otherwise be isolated, the ability to do everyday tasks easily from their own homes. '

Maxitech Director Peter Paduh, recently voted Young Businessperson of the year by the London Chamber of Commerce and ITV, said: 'Society is becoming ever more dependent on computerised technologies, but that creates the problem of outdated equipment. An estimated two million working Pentium or equivalent PCs are dumped in landfill sites in the UK every year, creating a massive environmental hazard. Our priority is to prevent old computers from becoming an environmental liability, and instead turn them into a valuable resource and opportunities. We're delighted to be working with Age Concern London on this exciting project which I'm sure will engage the enthusiasm of people responsible for IT in companies and organizations across the region.'

To participate please email: olderpeople@maxitech.biz or call 0870 199 5010