Digital access programme RAD sees demand outstripping supply

Recycle A Device (RAD), a programme focused on empowering communities through digital access, is reporting an increase in demand but faces challenges with its supply of refurbished devices.

As the new term begins, RAD has announced that four new clubs have joined the initiative, bringing technology training opportunities to more schools. These clubs have been established at Marlborough Boys High School, Napier Boys High School, Wesley College and Waimea College.

Additionally, RAD has plans to expand further, with Whangaparāoa College, Te Puke High School, and Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery set to join before the end of the term. This growth will take the total number of active RAD clubs across New Zealand to over 40, involving hundreds of students who will gain skills in refurbishing laptops.

A new initiative called "Fix One Keep One" has been introduced, which facilitates community-based workshops where participants refurbish a laptop they can then keep. These workshops have been launched in various settings including Kelston Girls College and Nelson College, with upcoming sessions planned for Rānui-Henderson Library and Spotswood College.

The programme aims to provide more than educational opportunities; it seeks to improve access to technology, thereby supporting pathways to employment and fostering community connections. Such community engagement is evident in the recent efforts of Mount Hutt College's RAD club, which refurbished and donated a laptop to their local Red Cross.

To streamline device donations, Noel Leeming St Lukes has been designated an official drop-off location. Organisations with surplus laptops are encouraged to donate and contribute to the programme's mission of digital equity and sustainability.

However, RAD's rapid expansion has placed pressure on its stock of laptops. The programme is calling for additional support from organisations in the form of ex-fleet laptop donations and financial backing to sustain its training sessions.

"We are running low on laptops," explained a RAD spokesperson. "Every week we hear from more schools and community groups eager to get involved, but our laptop supply and funding in some locations are holding us back from delivering the much-needed support."

The organisation is actively seeking both monetary support and increased awareness of its work to maintain and advance its digital equity initiatives across the country. The team at RAD remains committed to breaking down digital barriers and calls for collaboration to achieve its goals for 2025.