Sam's Spares
Jane Wake introduced Sam Thomas from Sam's Spares, seen here with supporter Diane Lloyd. Sam’s Spares is a Registered Not for Profit Incorporated Association that saves unwanted e-waste from landfill. Sam repairs and refurbishes computers, laptops, mobile phones, gaming systems and other electronics and gifts them freely to community members in need. All items are distributed through Sam’s Peer – Partner network of Not for Profit Organisations & Charities.
Just nineteen years old, Sam has a passion for community, environment and electronics. He is also Autistic and has Tourette Syndrome but strives to overthrow the stigmas and limitations put upon his Neurodivergent community, proving that anyone with a passion and purpose can succeed. He has been strongly supported in his work by his mum and dad. Sam told us that he is self taught and leaned things by 'breaking stuff'.
With the project expanding Sam's Spares has recently moved to new premises right opposite the Gosnells train station. This has sixteen times the capacity of the previous site. All of the people involved in the project are volunteers. Sam himself works three days a week to earn enough to provide a modest living. The rest of the time he works voluntarily for Sam's Spares.
Sam has been nominated for a number of awards and is most proud of being named 2023 WA Young Volunteer of the Year. You can read about these and also vote for him on his Facebook page.
Rotarians had collected e-waste for Sam to take back to the workshop. If you have e-waste of the type listed below this can be dropped off at Jacaranda House, 15 Queen St Gosnells on Tuesday 9am - 5pm and Thursday 9am - 5pm. Read more on the website.
