FROM schoolwork to helping new Scots learn English, a computer refurbishment scheme is helping people in Glasgow from all walks of life.

In July the Glasgow Times told how Remade Network, a consortium of community organisations, had been awarded a contract by Glasgow City Council to refurbish unwanted IT kit from the education department.

Now the first of 500 computers have been distributed in Springburn with the impact of the donations being clear to see.

Sophie Unwin, Director of Remade Network, said it had been uplifting to see the first hand the effect of the project.

"It's amazing," she said. "People have been so happy about receiving the computers.

"The demand has been really high - everywhere we have donated computers to has said that if we have more to donate then they'll take more from us.

"Everything is done online now so if you want to be an active citizen then you have to have access to a computer.

"The council took a chance on working with us, giving us as a new social enterprise a contract to dispose of their old IT kit.

"They did that because of the community benefits we could provide.

"We think it's been a win-win-win solution for everyone - less waste, saving money, and helping people get connected online."

Paula Mailey, from the Salvation Army Springburn branch, has been helping distributing computers across Springburn, including to Elmvale Primary School.

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She said: "It's all about helping the community where there's need - as soon as I heard about the computers I thought it would be great for the school."

Pupil Rachel has three brothers and three sisters, which makes it tough to have a turn accessing the internet on the family computer.

The 10-year-old said a new computer would be a huge help. She added: "Lockdown has been difficult because we can't go places."

Family Support worker at the school, Vikki Rothero, added: "Desktops are better than iPads for learning.

"This is a really good scheme."

The next stop was at Hawthorn Housing, a cooperative housing association managed by tenants with 364 houses in Springburn.

Director Colin Turnbull said: "Everything is moving online - we're drawing up a digital inclusion strategy to help tenants access internet.

"We've allocated 20 computers to tenants and have had such good feedback from the computer distribution project."

Tenant Martin Kane is on universal credit. He said: "I would never have been able to afford it so it was a good thing.

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"My wee boy is pure chuffed with it, he does his schoolwork and plays games.

"I'm a proper dinosaur and my wee boy, who's nine, has helped me set it up."

Although it was only founded in March, African Relief Support has more than 300 members from countries across the continent, including Kenya, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sonia Osy, originally from Cote D'Ivoire but who has lived in Scotland for eight years, has been helping distributing the computers.

She said: "Scotland is my village, both my kids were born here. People are here for each other."

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The computers will be used for learners to access ESOL courses, which will be run by Kelvin College in January so they can develop their English language skills.

Sophie, who had the idea for Remade after living in rural Nepal, added: "What I got from this visit was the fact that we were part of a bigger community response to Covid-19, and that's such a positive feeling."

All 500 computers have been allocated and will be distributed to groups in Govanhill and the Gorbals in the new year.

But Sophie said the demand is high and Remade wants to do more - so the social enterprise is appealing for more donations of pre-used computers and mobile phones.

These can be handed in from Monday to Saturday between noon and 2pm at The Deep End arts space at 21 Nithsdale Street, also the home of Remade Network's repair shop.

Sophie said: "So far we've had between 50 and 100 donations but we are hopeful of a lot more over Christmas and New Year."