Meet the people who make the charity work and dedicate their time and effort into improving peoples lives, through Reusing IT.
*Digital Exclusion: a modern scourge that should never have happened
Ross cannot rest while there are people in the world being left behind through lack of technology. Every single day he thinks of ways to tackle this injustice. He founded Reusing IT in 1997 when, as IT manager for a large company, he couldn’t stand to see perfectly good computers go to landfill once the company had finished with them. And he discovered a world of people who desperately needed them. He gave up his dream of being a rock star and has instead been tirelessly working on digital exclusion ever since.
They say the way you treat animals tells us all we need to know about you. So Phil’s menagerie of rescue cows (yes, rescue cows), donkeys and a whole host of other animals attests a caring nature, and what else does a humanitarian volunteer need? Well Phil also brings a successful business background and an endless drive to keep improving things. Of all his activities, the volunteering is what really fires him up. He volunteers for our logistics partner Yorkshire Aid, and it was a joint aid trip to Ukraine that cemented his invaluable involvement with Reusing IT too.
Kevin’s “just get stuff done” attitude is a perfect match for Reusing IT. And bringing invaluable knowledge and resource from over 20 years of running a successful sustainable IT solutions business, the synergy couldn’t get much better. Thanks to his parents’ work with disabled adults, Kevin was acutely aware from a young age that there are people in the world dealt a worse hand, and he is committed to taking positive, regular action to doing something about it. When not working on all aspects of IT sustainability, Kevin is to be found playing football, snowboarding and hanging out with his family.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Howie joined Reusing IT in October 2022 after retiring as a Project Manager for a leading manufacturer of Airborne Radars, previously completing 12 years service in the Royal Air Force. Having always had an interest in computers and electronics, it seemed the ideal move to continue to use these skills to re-furbish computers to help less fortunate people.
Ralph is a retired Prince 2 IT project manager, having spent 20 years in the IT industry working with major corporates and the NHS. He was looking for volunteer work and Reusing IT fit the bill perfectly – hands-on work in reusing and upcycling computer equipment, as well as working with a great team and picking up new skills. Ralph can be found on Monday mornings tuning in to the ’10 to the top’ quiz on Radio 2 whilst doing anything from cleaning and testing equipment to refurbishing computers ready for shipment.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Stef lives and breathes computer repairs, and his volunteer role at Reusing IT allows him, as he puts it, “to do what I would be doing if I was at home” whilst putting some good out into the world. He built his first computer as a teenager and has been building computers ever since; he runs a YouTube channel where he shares his passion for bringing old computer parts back to life. Stef was looking for a hands-on volunteering role, and Reusing IT was perfect – “It’s just a very good place to be,” he says, which says it all.
Dave didn’t realise it at the time, but his 42 year career working in electronics and computing, maintaining servers and desktops for almost every global IT brand you can name, was merely training for the stuff that matters – volunteering for Reusing IT. Since 2022, Dave has been occupied in refurbishing, updating, OS installation and testing of desktops and laptops, plus assisting with the operation of the charity itself. He is enjoying learning about all aspects of smaller desktop and laptop systems, and is also involved in the packing and warehousing of the equipment prior to shipment to where it’s needed.
Bio coming soon.
Billy started volunteering with Reusing IT in 2024. Initially focusing on cleaning components, his practical background and love of learning led him swiftly on to diagnostics and repairing the computers. He’s in the warehouse three days a week doing what he loves – fixing things. When not at Reusing IT or carrying out family caring duties, Billy can be found fixing cars, motorbikes or playing computer games. He describes himself as a Scary Old Punk but don’t be deceived – this one has a heart of gold.
Jim does a bit of everything at Reusing It. He calls himself “the dogsbody” which in this context means “extremely useful person who can do anything.” An age-defying octogenarian, Jim has been in at Reusing IT at least two days a week since 2017 (taking a short break for a brain bleed over Christmas one year), and is on call if an extra pair of hands is needed. He focuses on erasing data on devices, and is motivated by knowing he is helping to change the lives of children in Africa and Ukraine.
