We've outgrown our Prison Cell !

Tameside Community Computers essentially accept used tech devices from companies. They are then refurbished and sent back out to people in the community, who are in digital poverty.

Cerid Grimshaw, TCC’s Director says “there are plenty of people who have no access to devices, whether it’s a phone, tablet or laptop, to be able to access such things as Doctors services, applying for jobs on line, banking apps etc, they are finding some people are really struggling to get access to such devices, not just here in Tameside but right across the country.”

Tameside Community Computers CIC was founded in August 2022, it was born on the back of the great community work carried out by ZenTec Network Solutions Limited during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

ZenTec Network Solutions Limited are a Professional Business IT Support company and during the Covid 19 pandemic their directors Michael Brooks & Cerid Grimshaw saw a very important need to use their skills and help those in need.

Cerid says “a lot of parents were reaching out as they didn’t have any devices for children to learn at home. They had lots of old laptops lying around, so with the skills of the team, they refurbished the devices and gave them to parents who needed them the most.

We replace batteries, RAM, hard drives, chargers etc. During 2020 to 2022, they managed to refurbish and distribute approx. 2,300 devices and give them back into the community. We ask local companies via Linkedin, Facebook and radio interviews to donate the used equipment”

Tameside Community Computers are currently based at the Old Courthouse behind Dukinfield Town Hall. The former prison cells in the basement are small and currently being used as store rooms for all the equipment. Their office is located up 4 flights of stairs (with no lift available).

As you can imagine it’s a constant battle of having to carry boxes up and down stairs. Ceri says “when we get a large donation, it really is a struggle to keep moving equipment up and down to the basement. What we really could do with is an office/warehouse environment on the ground floor”.

Looking around the workshop it was clearly evident they had run out of space, with almost every inch of the floor occupied by donated devices ready for refurbishment.

They are now looking for new premises and are appealing for anyone who may have suitable premises, where they can continue to grow and help support the general public. Cerid says “we would love to have a warehouse area with roller shutters where we can drive the van inside and unload all the donated equipment. We currently have around 1200 square feet in space. Ideally we’re looking for double the floor space”.

“We have such a vision to grow in the future to help more people. We’re looking at creating a Digital Skills Training Hub, an area where anyone can pop in and use the internet. We’ll run the hubs for people who require support. For example, writing CV’s and accessing NHS services. Going forward, we would like to show people how to fix devices too. We’ll show you how to load software etc, it’s a real vision to be able to support where they need help in the digital world”

If anyone has any suitable property to help Tameside Community Computers CIC to the next level and allow them to build the Digital Hub, they would love to hear from you.

Please contact the team at enquiries@tamesidecc.org or call them on 0161 553 0060.