Celebrating One Year of Laptops 4 Learning

This month marks a full year since we launched Laptops 4 Learning, our scheme dedicated to getting free, refurbished laptops into the hands of the people who need them most. At Netmatters, we believe that everyone deserves access to technology, especially when it comes to education, personal growth and new opportunities. As more of life, learning and work moves online, having a reliable laptop isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Twelve months on, we're incredibly proud of what's been achieved, and excited about where the scheme is headed next. 

Every one of those numbers represents a real person, and it's individuals like Talea who show what the scheme really means: 

"I am incredibly grateful for the laptop. Before receiving it, I was revising for my GCSE mocks and exams on my phone, which made it difficult to stay focused. Having a laptop has helped me concentrate much better on my studies, and I'm very thankful to Netmatters for their kind donation." - Talea Charlton, Laptops4Learning recipient 

Laptops 4 Learning is our way of giving back to the communities we care about. We collect pre-loved laptops from businesses, securely refurbish and reset them, then donate them to people who need access to a device but can't afford one. There are no strings attached, just a shared mission to help learners of all ages thrive and to reduce digital inequality. 

Signing the IT Reuse for Good Charter

Netmatters was proud to become one of the first Managed Service Providers in East Anglia to sign the Government's IT Reuse for Good Charter. As a signatory, Laptops 4 Learning follows nationally recognised standards for securely, ethically and sustainably refurbishing and donating devices, underlining our commitment to digital inclusion, sustainability and the responsible reuse of technology. 

Quality and reliability, not shortcuts

A key part of what makes Laptops 4 Learning stand out is our commitment to quality, security and long-term reliability. Every device we provide runs a genuine, fully supported version of Windows 11 on hardware that meets Microsoft's requirements. We don't rely on unsupported workarounds or hardware requirement bypasses to artificially extend the life of a device. 

This matters because it means recipients aren't just getting a laptop that switches on. They're getting a secure, reliable device that will continue to receive software updates and manufacturer support well into the future, giving them the confidence to rely on it for study, work or running their organisation. That reliability opens doors, as one of our recipients found out: 

"The recipient was delighted with the laptop and, since receiving it, has begun considering an online business college course. Thank you again for your generosity. What a brilliant cause!" - Martha Dean-Tozer, Laptops4Learning 

Looking ahead to year two

We're not stopping here. Our pledge for year two is to hit 200 devices by July 2027, nearly doubling what we achieved in our first year. It's an ambitious target, but one we're confident we can reach with the continued support of our staff, clients and the wider community. 

If you're a business with surplus laptops collecting dust, don't let them go to waste. Devices should be less than six years old, in good condition and capable of running Windows 11, and donating them helps reduce e-waste while giving someone a valuable head start. 

If you'd like to donate a device, nominate someone who could benefit, or simply find out more about how Laptops 4 Learning works, please get in touch with the team. 

Here's to another year of closing the digital divide, one laptop at a time.