Computers make a big difference to charity supporting vulnerable homeless adults in Wiltshire

Devizes Opendoors is a charity carrying out wonderful and much-needed work supporting vulnerable homeless adults in Devizes in Wiltshire. The charity operates a welcoming centre, with four or five drop-in sessions available: meals, showers, hot drinks, conversation and signposting are all on offer to more than 65 people each week. The charity recently received three PCs via A Good Thing, donated by Wiltshire Digital Drive, a not-for-profit organisation set up to refurbish and recycle laptops to gift back to the community.

A very great need

Jodi Postlethwaite, Coordinator at Devizes Opendoors told us that in the past nine months alone, the charity has supported 159 guests:

“Some faces come and go, while others are more consistent. The need has really increased recently. We have more and more guests each week – the cost of living has had a big impact on what people can afford. People come to us in search of food donations and a hot meal.”

Many of the vulnerable adults supported by Devizes Opendoors have trouble with addiction, plus physical heath problems, mental health problems. There is a very real need in this community for help. A committee has recently been set up in Devizes to provide a warm space for people through the winter, which will certainly be well received. Jodi explains that most people self-refer to the charity – they just show up – sometimes just to simply sit down and have a cup of tea.

The charity currently has just three paid members of staff, and their working days are busy, as Jodi explains:

“We’re having to apply for more grants now. We have a fundraising committee to focus on funds for our centre, and we’d love to receive more monthly donations. Our running costs will inevitably be going up.”

Computers that will make a real difference

The three PCs donated via A Good Thing by the non-profit Wiltshire Digital Drive will make a real difference to Jodi and her colleagues:

“We were previously working using refurbished laptops, but they all began break down and were really not functioning well. They were very slow, and were needed by our staff – so our guests had no access to IT. But (thanks to this donation) our three staff members now have permanent workspaces, and can carry out all the crucial record-keeping that’s needed. Our guests can now sit down and work with staff on the various forms that we help them with.”

A very easy process

Jodi tells us that using A Good Thing was simple:

“We waited a short time for the PCs to be ready, and then they were dropped off with us. I hadn’t heard of Wiltshire Digital Drive before, but would like to say a big thank you: we’re really grateful, it’s all working really nicely!”

Devizes Opendoors will definitely be using A Good Thing again:

“There are other things we need: we’d love donations of outside storage bins, where we could store bulky items like duvets. Some of those big plastic boxes, which would live outside. A landline phone would also be brilliant!”

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