Donate IT will be at Frome Town Hall on January 31. Picture: Frome Town Council

Unwanted IT after Christmas? Donate it in Frome at special recycling event

Paul JonesDecember 26, 20250 Comment0

ANYONE with redundant digital devices after Christmas can hand them in for recycling and reuse at an event in Frome.

Somerset charity Donate IT will be at Frome Town Hall on Saturday, January 31, collecting unwanted tech such as smartphones, laptops, consoles or desktop computers.

The unwanted digital devices can be dropped off between 10am and 1pm, when they will be securely wiped of all data and either donated to someone in need or disposed of responsibly within the UK.

Simon Barfoot founded Donate IT in 2021, in partnership with Sarah Dyke, now the MP for Glastonbury and Somerton.

The charity recently handed out the 2,000th device and now have 50 drop-off points across Somerset, including at Frome Town Hall.

Frome Town Council collects devices for Donate IT all year round, and hosts two tech amnesties each year.

Simon said: “Did you receive a new laptop, tablet, smartphone or console for Christmas? So many old devices end up forgotten in drawers – yours doesn’t have to.

“We can refurbish your old device, wipe it of all your personal data and give it to someone who needs it.

“We work with the isolated, elderly, people in rehab, domestic violence charities, displaced people: anyone struggling to have a good quality of life because they can’t get connected.

“And if your device can’t be donated, it can still be useful; we’ll arrange for the precious metals inside to be recycled and used for new devices.”

Cllr Anne Hills added: “The Donate IT team do such a brilliant job. In addition to the environmental benefit of reusing tech devices, we know that many people in our town feel excluded from participation with the digital world because of the cost.

“Getting a repurposed smartphone or tablet, plus training, free of charge, opens up opportunities for people who want to gain digital confidence, making appointments, finding work, researching the things that interest them, communicating with friends and family and much more.”

The Donate IT team will be in the car park at Frome Town Hall, off Park Road, from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, January 31. In the case of bad weather, the collection will move indoors and the route will be clearly signposted.

Devices can also be dropped off to Frome Town Hall throughout the year.