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A SOCIAL enterprise in Edinburgh which repairs used furniture and IT equipment and trains people with the skills to do so has launched a phased return to business after lockdown.
The Edinburgh Remakery, which suspended all services on March 24, started accepting donations of used IT equipment from June 4.
The organisation has asked for donations of laptops, tablets and mobile phones from individuals and businesses, and has put in place stringent hygiene and safety measures to allow for it.
The equipment is given free of charge to those in the community, including homeless people, who are in need of it. The organisation also aims to reduce waste by repairing items rather than them being sent to landfill.
Managing director Elaine Brown said the Remakery’s services are in greater need than ever because lack of access to public facilities means people are relying more on digital services.
Library closures have meant those without a laptop no longer have access to a shared computer. Others who may previously have been able to buy or repair their own IT equipment cannot due to reduced income.
While three staff members of the Remakery have been furloughed, the remaining three have been working during the lockdown to donate a total of 47 keyboards and mice, 41 PCs, 20 laptops, 12 tablets and six iMacs.
Ms Brown said: “The furlough scheme was absolutely crucial to our business model to survive Covid. Without that, we would undoubtedly have faced immediate redundancy. It allowed us breathing space and it allowed us to retain our staff.”
While the organisation is receiving extra funding as a charity, the furlough scheme has been needed to plug the gap left by a lack of shop revenue.
The scheme has been extended until the end of October, and Ms Brown said some Remakery staff will remain on furlough until then, while others may come back on a part time basis.
The scheme pays workers 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500, but the Remakery is topping up the remaining 20 per cent of wages.
Ms Brown said: “We always knew there was a need for us, we always knew there was digital isolation, but really Covid has intensified that and magnified the need.
“We’re dealing with people who need the equipment for wellbeing needs, because of isolation, and also the impact of families trying to homeschool children.
“These issues were probably always there, but Covid has definitely increased the need.”
The workshops and furniture repair normally run by the Remakery will remain suspended for the time being.