A campaign in the Caerphilly county borough for residents to put their old computers and mobile phones to good use will be in full swing in the New Year.

The ‘IT Amnesty’ campaign aims to recycle and refurbish old computers and mobile phones, and put them to good use in the community. The items are fully refurbished and provided to people who don’t currently have access to modern digital equipment.

Cllr Ken James, Digital Champion for Caerphilly County Borough Council said, “Many of us find ourselves with old unused equipment gathering dust, such as laptops, mobile phones, computers or games consoles. This campaign aims to put these items to good use by refurbishing and recycling them back into our communities. There are a number of residents still not online and who don’t have access to the very equipment we hope to collect. This is a fantastic way for people to help others who don’t currently have access to the latest digital technology.”

Rose Davies, a young carer from Cefn Hengoed, is the latest recipient of a refurbished laptop through the scheme. Rose is an unsung hero and cabinet member of the Caerphilly Youth Forum who helps to take care of her mother. Providing Rose with a laptop will enable her to get online and be able to do school work, and apply for vocational training courses.

The ‘IT Amnesty’ is driven by the local Get Caerphilly Online partnership, with support from Caerphilly County Borough Council, Partners IT, Communities 2.0 and the Get IT Together project.

Members of the public can donate their unwanted IT equipment at collection points across the county borough, from January 11th – 18th 2013. Details of public collection points are as follows:

  • Asda Caerphilly – Friday 11th January
  • Libraries – Friday 11th January
  • Genesis Bargoed Institute – Week commencing Monday 14th January
  • Oxford House Risca – Week commencing Monday 14th January
  • Penallta House and Pontllanfraith House Council Offices – Week commencing January 14th
  • Asda Blackwood – Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th January
  • Libraries – Friday 18th January

The collection points will not be able to take televisions or broken ‘CRT’ computer monitors (old, non flat screen monitors).

Anyone donating equipment will need to remove any personal data needed from the equipment, prior to it being handed in. Any data on the donated equipment will be erased using Blancco certified data erasure software; Caerphilly County Borough Council or Partners IT will not be held responsible for any loss or damages caused for anyone not copying or removing data from their equipment prior to donating it.

Businesses can also get involved in the Caerphilly IT Amnesty, simply contact Partners IT on 08456 446644 to arrange collection.

For more details about Get Caerphilly Online please visit www.getcaerphillyonline.org.uk