Working with other organisations supporting children in the Liverpool city region, social enterprise Bulky Bob’s will supply desktop PCs for just £50 per unit. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool social enterprise Bulky Bob’s is offering hi-spec computers to kids across Merseyside who are struggling to get access to online lessons.

Due to the latest COVID-19 lockdown, most schools across the Liverpool city region will remain closed until at least mid-February. However, many children do not have access to computer equipment to access online lessons.

Now Bulky Bob’s is working with organisations who support children to provide refurbished desktop computers at just £50 each. The low cost is subject to a minimum order of 10 units. Each unit will comprise a high-spec PC with MS Windows operating system, monitor, keyboard, mouse and base unit.

This will allow schools, charities, housing associations and other organisations supporting the children in the city region to offer IT access to children who otherwise may be struggling with home learning. The £50 cost will be to the organisations, not to the families.

In its continuing commitment to ‘End Furniture Poverty’ and having supplied more than 100 full computer systems to those in need via its Reuse IT programme, Bulky Bobs wanted to go even further.

Chief executive Shaun Doran said: “Items such as computers are often in great condition when businesses decide to purchase new equipment. Our mission as a group of charities under the FRC Group umbrella is to End Furniture Poverty, and this includes data wiping and refurbishing computers which are often very high-spec.

“We then make them available for organisations who support our local children to bulk buy at a fraction of the price of new equipment. We’ve also given away the equivalent of 16 full PC units through our partnership with Citizen’s Advice Liverpool, donating 20% of computers to those most in need.”

Bulky Bob’s was created in 2000 by FRC Group, a Liverpool social enterprise and charity. Bulky Bob’s has held the bulky household waste collection service with Liverpool City Council since its creation and also delivers collection services for Oldham and Warrington councils.

FRC Group’s vision is of a society where people can obtain good quality, affordable furniture without experiencing the devastating impacts of furniture poverty – no bed to sleep on or unmanageable debts.

Reuse IT is the latest in a long line of innovations from Bulky Bob’s, ensuring  those who need essential items, such as computers for our young people, can access them. Shaun added: “Schools have been left in the difficult situation with a legal obligation to provide remote learning where needed.

“But 80% less computers being made available to them than was initially promised. Many other charities and organisations supporting children are crying out to help children gain access to online learning during thus current lockdown. Bulky Bob’s Office and Commercial Waste provides a wide range of commercial waste collection and removal services, from confidential shredding to paper and packaging, IT equipment and office furniture collections and removals.