Category Archives: News

Boxmoor primary school

Donate a Device

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Do you have laptop phone ot tablet you don’t need and would like to go to a good home?
As we update from desktops to laptops, laptops to tablets and tablets to phones, there are many devices under the bed or in the wardrobe! A laptop which cost £500 10 years ago is probably worthless today although shops such as CEX may be able to offer you a few pounds.

Computer Friendly has received nearly 700 donations of unwanted devices which our volunteers have refurbished and distributed to people who are in situations where they cannot access the internet or contact family and friends.

How do you know applicants are in genuine need?
Applications come as referrals from official organisations, such as St Albans Old People Trust, MIND or Schools, who expect the applicants to complete a form outlining why they need a device.

Do you take anything?
We cannot take printers, desktop computers, monitors less than 24″, peripherals such as keyboards or mice or laptops older then 6 years

How do you refurbish?
We remove and physically destroy the hard drive and all it’s data, replacing it with a modern SSD (Solid State Drive). We increase the amount of memory and install a copy of Window 10.

What happens if it is not possible to refurbish?
We dispose (having destroyed the hard drive) according to he correct WEEE rules.

What can you take?
Laptops: Macbooks, Windows and Chromebooks
Phones: Android and iPhone
Tablets: Android and iPad
Preferably with chargers.

Who do I contact?
Phone: 01727 617359 (Mon, Weds and Fri 10am – 1pm or leave a message at other times)
Email: courses@computerfriendly.org.uk

Thank you

 

 

Safer Internet Day at Harpenden Academy

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In a break from our usual audience of ‘mature’ students, two Computer Friendly volunteers, Jean Pavan and Paul McMahon, attended Harpenden Academy to talk to a hall full of some very savvy 6 & 7 year olds about Staying Safe On‑line. Using resources available on-line from  saferinternet.org.uk Jean gave a 15 minute presentation about things to look out for, what to be aware of and what to do in certain situations. A follow-up 10 minute quiz by Paul was very well received with the students cheering loudly when it was revealed that the majority had voted for the correct answer. The final message to the children was given in this graphic from the presentation. Thanks to the Academy for their welcome.

(c) www.teachingideas.co.uk

Paul & Jean

Jean in full flow

Computer Friendly Annual Report 2023-2024 available as a Podcast

Video

The Trustees of the Charity, Computer Friendly St Albans are ready to present their annual report and externally examined accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024. The report is available to read, however, using the latest AI technology the report has also been summarised as a podcast.

This is an analysis of the Computer Friendly St Albans Annual Report highlighting the charity’s activities, achievements, challenges, and future outlook. Computer Friendly aims to promote social inclusion and education through IT services, focusing particularly on disadvantaged individuals within the St Albans district. This is achieved through a “three-pronged approach” of drop-in sessions, courses, and a device recycling scheme. 

We hope you will enjoy listening to the podcast and getting a better understanding of the work done by the organisation in 2023-2024 and the success achieved through its three-pronged delivery of services.

 

 

International Day of Older People

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As October draws to a close Computer Friendly have been supporting International Day of Older People in the St Albans area. Four events in total were planned in Wheathampstead (Oct 21st), St Albans (Oct 23rd), Redbourn (Oct 24th) and London Colney (Oct 28th) and Computer Friendly had a stall at each event getting our message out about the support we offer and the courses we run to people who need our support. Below is a photograph of our team at Redbourn.

International Day for Older Persons is a United Nations initiative from the early 1990s to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.

NHS App

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Need help getting onto the NHS App?
Accessing doctors, hospitals and
all-things-medical is now online.

Just come along to one of our
DropIns and we can help.

Using good passwords, finding your way round Surgery Websites, Hospital referrals and two-factor autentication.

We’re here to assist you.

Computer Friendly helps again with provision of a Phone and a Laptop

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Computer Friendly received a request from an individual who has desperately been chasing a laptop and smartphone for several months. Once again we have been able to fulfill the needs of people desperately wanting to get online and improve their lives and prospects.

Thank you to all our generous donors who provide us with devices that are carefully refurbished and made fit for purpose before being passed on to those in need.

Computer Friendly helps Shirley complete a book of life stories

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Computer Friendly helped Shirley to use Storyworth to write a book of life stories.  She was then able finish her book and so happy to see it in print that she sent us this wonderful “Thank You.”
Over a year ago my granddaughter gifted a year’s Storyworth subscription to me to write a book of life stories.   I immediately found difficulties inserting and sizing photos and generally kept meeting obstacles but I was so lucky to meet David Forbes, a  volunteer, at the Computer Friendly DropIn at The Hub in the Civic Centre.  He guided me through my book which I signed off recently and am extremely excited to see it in print.  
The people of St Albans and surrounding area are so lucky to have the benefit of expert tuition from a team of volunteers, each one skilled in every aspect of computer technology plus their patience and friendliness is beyond compare.
I am in my ninetieth year and have many more stories to tell.  If I decide to write volume two , the lead chapter will be praising my recent learning experience with David and the tuition I have had previously from other members of the team.
                              Thanks, a Billion Computer Friendly
The DropIn is held at the HUB on the First Wednesday of every month.

Mayor of St Albans visits Dropin at Marshalswick

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David in explanation mode…..

We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of St Albans Cllr Anthony Rowlands accompanied by his Lady Mayoress Annie Stevenson to our regular Thursday DropIn at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church – not just to visit but to get help and advice!

Anthony:

‘I was delighted to visit one of Computer Friendly drop-in sessions along with the Mayoress, Annie Stevenson.  As someone who would regularly score a low  B- in any IT test, I know all too well how frustration can set in when digital confusion strikes.

Three cheers, then, for Computer Friendly who provide essential support to those of us who have not learned some of the basic competencies through the world of work or are regularly  baffled. They are a lifeline for so many in a world where living without basic IT skills is becoming harder.’

Annie:

Computer Friendly provides a vital service to prevent the social exclusion of older people who have lived through the digital revolution later in life, having been forced to adjust to a computerised world that was unknown in their formative years. Sadly, through the lens of age discrimination, older people’s worlds can become smaller and it is vital they are empowered and stay connected to their communities plus having all the benefits of being comfortable with technology that younger people enjoy. Even more important with the cost of living crisis. 

 It is not just a social issue, it’s a fundamental health issue as increasingly it is impossible to access essential services without going online. The digital divide  increases loneliness and isolation, the scourge of our society that the Mayor’s theme is highlighting. Computer Friendly is an essential service for older people to prevent decline in their physical and mental health and quality of life. We are so fortunate to have them in our district. 

Computer Friendly assists Asylum Project with provision of laptops.

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The YMCA Asylum Project in Hoddesdon requested some laptops to help their residents who were attending college and Tony Bourke, Chair of Trustees, was pleased to be able to assist with the request.

The project manager, Salih Ismail, said that the recipients were absolutely delighted to receive the laptops to help progress their studies.

We would like to thank everyone who supports Computer Friendly by donating their unused laptops for refurbishment. If you have laptops that you no longer need we would be pleased to receive and refurbish them, giving them a new lease of life to be used for a good cause in the district of St Albans and surrounding areas.