Lewis CaliburnGivingBack.tech has officially opened to UK charities and Community Interest Companies, marking an important next step for the AV industry initiative created to give surplus technology a meaningful second life.
Launched to beneficiaries mid-June, the platform enables approved charities and CICs to apply for audiovisual equipment donated by businesses across the sector. The focus now is on maintaining a steady flow of suitable products so that community organisations can access equipment that may otherwise be sitting unused in warehouses, offices or storage spaces.
The response from the charity sector has already been encouraging. From an initial mailing of only 200 charities and CIC’s, more than 40 have already registered with the platform and hundreds of excess AV items will end up being used to make a difference to a good cause. These include hospices, children’s charities, theatres and arts organisations, Scout groups, disability sport organisations, schools, community groups and rescue services.
GivingBack.tech has also achieved its first successful matches between donors and beneficiaries, demonstrating the practical value of the platform and the difference it can make when usable equipment is redirected to organisations that need it.
The platform is free to use and has been designed to make the process as straightforward as possible, with AV distributor, Alltrade, partnering with GivingBack.tech to promote the initiative and to use its network of distribution centres as both drop off and pick up points for excess AV equipment.
Manufacturers, distributors, integrators, resellers, installers and other AV businesses can register as donors and list equipment they no longer need, including surplus, second-hand, discontinued, B-stock or end-of-line products. Charities and CICs can then apply for available items that could support their work.
For AV businesses, GivingBack.tech provides a practical way to reduce waste, free up valuable storage space and support wider sustainability and social value goals. For recipient organisations, it offers access to technology that may otherwise be unaffordable to help them improve communication, and with events, training, care, education and community engagement.
Ian Morrish, founder of GivingBack.tech and Together For Cinema, says the success of the platform depends on continued industry support. “We now have charities and CICs ready to apply for equipment, so the priority is encouraging more AV businesses to register as donors and list suitable products,” he notes. “Many companies have equipment that still has a useful life but, for various reasons, can no longer be sold. GivingBack.tech gives them a simple way to turn that into a positive impact.
“Alltrade’s support in offering their network of distribution centres as drop off points for the industry makes it as simple as it can be for companies to donate. With Alltrade’s help, and the likes of companies like Midwich and Habitech becoming ‘early adopters’ we are hugely optimistic that GivingBack.tech will do ‘what it says on the tin’ and will give back tech to those it can really help.”
GivingBack.tech is continuing to raise awareness across the AV industry and is calling on companies of all sizes to get involved. By listing surplus equipment, businesses can help keep usable technology in circulation while supporting good causes across the UK.
“Please, don’t wait for everyone else to show you how this works,” Ian concludes. “Set the example and join the early adopters in making a difference.”