Got an old laptop gathering dust? Hounslow wants to hear from you
3 September 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
Hounslow Council has launched a community donation drive asking residents and local businesses to hand over unused laptops, tablets and smartphones to help people who struggle to get online.
The scheme is aimed at tackling what the council calls the "digital divide" — the gap between those who can access online services, job boards, health appointments and public information, and those who cannot. For Chiswick residents, that could mean a neighbour, an elderly relative or a family on a lower income who is effectively locked out of everyday digital life.
Unwanted devices in working condition — or even those that simply need a refresh — are the kind of contribution the drive is looking for. Many older smartphones and tablets that feel obsolete to their owners are perfectly capable of browsing the web, joining a video call or completing an online form.
If you have a device sitting unused in a drawer, this is a straightforward way to put it back to work locally. Full details on how and where to donate, including any data-wiping guidance, are available on the council's website.