Collecting Laptops for Ukrainian Refugees
Turnham Green ward councillor Ron Mushiso reports back on his week
Left to right: Jack Emsley, Zoe Nixon, Seb Wallance, Cllr Ron Mushiso
I am teaming up with Jack Emsley, Zoe Nixon and Seb Wallace to relaunch the Laptop Collection Drive exactly a year on after we collected over 500 devices for underprivileged children to help with their online learning.
It is exactly a year ago that hundreds of residents from across Chiswick came forward to generously donate old laptops and second-hand computer devices in aide of the most disadvantaged school children across the borough.
With the support of Veritas a secure digital recycling company, Chiswick played its role in bridging the digital divide exposed by the pandemic, by donating their old laptops to underprivileged school children.
We are now facing a new challenge in 2022 as we are set to welcome Ukrainian refugees on the new Homes for Ukraine programme that was launched earlier this week by the Government.
London Borough Hounslow is proudly home to 1120 Ukrainians and 140 pupils are registered in our schools. Hounslow has the third highest Ukrainian population in London. Given the civic spirit that has already been on display among of our residents, charities and faith groups, we can expect a significant increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees arriving in the Borough.
Being forced to leave your country is an unfathomable affair for many of us, who are fortunate to live where we do. As demoralising as the situation can be, with your support and hospitality, our new guests can expect to feel welcomed, supported and more importantly, connected to those around them, both here and abroad. In this difficult time, having access to a digital device will at least bring a semblance of normality to life, in what will be a new country, new culture and new environment.
As we relaunch the Laptop Collection Drive for 2022, we call on individuals, families and small businesses who perhaps didn’t come round to donating last time. Now is great opportunity to part ways with old or unused technology in your premises, in a way that puts that technology to great use.
Veritas has now formed Laptops4Learning tackles digital inequality by the repair and reuse of any surplus technology, not just laptops.
We are asking for you to help by donating laptops, tablets or mobile phones:
• Laptops4Learning securely data-erases all storage to HMG Infosec standard 5 Enhanced
• Devices are refurbished and made plug-and-play ready for use by refugees.
• Repair may include installation of new operating systems, screens and batteries.
• Devices are saved from becoming e-waste, reducing CO2 emissions.
As we did in 2021, we are reaching out to fellow candidates from all political persuasions to work with us on this project. My colleagues Zoe Nixon and Jack Emsley have already started having conversations with businesses on the Great West Road corridor. Seb Wallace and I will be working establish contact with Chiswick Business Park and other commercial business that may hold surplus tech. But as in 2021, we will need the help of residents and their contacts as we seek collect Laptops, tablets, mobile telephones and PCs.
Laptops4Learning, provide full audit of collection, all HDD/SSD securely data erased to HMG Infosec standard 5 Enhanced, certificates of data erase by serial number along with a sustainability report also provided. All devices are repaired and refurbished, and any non- working units are taken apart for spares, which are used to repair other devices. Working units are made plug and play ready, with a fresh operating system and charger incl. There is a nominal charge for data-erasure, refurbishment and making plug-and-play ready for use.
Medium sized companies with tech, such as servers and networking equipment, printers, and monitors can sell to Laptops4Learning to create a contract, making the donation cost neutral. And possibly giving some revenue back to the for the selling company, while providing free devices to help our refugees.
Over the past two years, our community has shown a heart-warming capacity for supporting each other. We very much hope, with your help, we can now welcome Ukrainian refugees in the same kind spirit.
Rocks Lane Multi Sports Centre, Chiswick, has kindly volunteered to be the collection point for our laptop drive. Rocks Lane are a fantastic organisation who I have worked with before on various projects, such as youth engagement with the police. Going above and beyond is clearly a trend shown by the sports centre – such as their work during the pandemic in providing sporting activities to residents across the borough and keeping people active during lockdown. I am grateful they have agreed to be the collection point for this initiative.
Collection Point: Rocks Lane Multi Sports Centre, 60 Chiswick Common Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1RZ.
Starting From: Monday 21 March 2022, Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm and Saturdays/Sundays 9am – 6pm.
Type of donation wished for: Laptops, Tablets and Mobile Phones
Contact Number for queries: 07976702887
Cllr Ron Mushiso
ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702887
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Most council meetings are now taking place in person at Hounslow House though a few, such as licensing panel meetings, continue to be held virtually. Even if they are held in person, you can watch them live (or later) on the council's YouTube channel . Please check for each meeting by looking at the agenda reports pack for each committee.
The key council meetings coming up are:
- 22nd March – 7.00pm Cabinet
- 8th March – 7.00pm Licensing panel
- 15th March – 7.00pm Overview and Scrutiny
- 21st March – 7.00pm Planning
- 22nd March – 7.00pm Cabinet
- 28th March – 5.00pm Audit and governance
- 5th April – 7.00pm Licensing panel
- 7th April – 7.00pm Planning
- 19th April– 7.00pm Cabinet
SURGERIES ARE BACK!
We are now able to hold face-to-face surgeries again and, as before, will be available in Chiswick and in Gunnersbury. Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the nine Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn). Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Turnham Green ward councillors will take this surgery).
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Patrick Barr
patrick.barr@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703263
Cllr Gerald McGregor
gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784821
Cllr John Todd
john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Michael Denniss
michael.denniss@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703274
Cllr Gabriella Giles
gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk
07966 270823
Cllr Sam Hearn
sam.hearn@hounslow.gov.uk
07833 376222
Turnham Green ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph
joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703446
Cllr Ranjit Gill
ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso
ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702887
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March 19, 2022