University computer social enterprise will directly benefit students

A new social enterprise company will be launched at The University of Northampton this week (Wednesday 1 December).

Re-using redundant PCs from the public sector and offering them for sale at competitive prices, with profits going directly back into student scholarships.

'We Re PC' is a computer re-use social enterprise based at the Portfolio Innovation Centre at Avenue Campus. This is the second social enterprise to be set up by the University in 2010.

Taking redundant PCs from the University and other public or private sector organisations, We Re PC will refurbish them and make them available for purchase to anyone seeking a cost-effective second hand computer set-up. The social enterprise will offer a computer with basic set-up for £150 or an advanced package for £200, with a warranty and after-sale care service. A percentage of profits from the sales will then go back to fund scholarships for students at The University of Northampton.

Professor Simon Denny is one of the directors of We Re PC and newly appointed Social Enterprise Champion for The University of Northampton.

We Re PC has been set up following a detailed market analysis of who in the UK was recycling or reusing computers. It will be one of the very few organisations in Europe to take redundant computers from the public sector and reuse them. We offer a service where we can guarantee a good working second hand computer at an affordable price; the UK can't keep on with this buying and throwing away culture, we should take what we have and reuse.

The main rule of our business is that our profit goes directly back to fund scholarships for students at the University. We look forward to being able to make a difference to the future of students at The University of Northampton.

Professor Simon Denny

We Re PC's launch follows the appointment of Associate Dean of The University of Northampton's Business School and Queen's Award winner Professor Simon Denny as the new Social Enterprise Champion for the University.

I am excited to take up this new role to promote social enterprise within the University, an appointment requested by our new Vice Chancellor. We have an excellent track record in social enterprise and enterprise work here which we can expand on and integrate into the culture of the University. The University has recognised social enterprise as a potential model for expanding higher education development in arange of subjects

Professor Simon Denny

Further information on We Re PC can be found at www.werepc.co.uk