24/05/2026
Who is Mike Brooks one of our founders at Tameside Community Computers CIC
Hi, I’m Mike Brooks, though most people just call me Mike, which is probably for the best.
I was born on Saturday 8th February 1986 and spent my early years in Cheadle before my family moved to Dukinfield when I was two. I’ve called Dukinfield home for 38 years now, so if you’re wondering whether I’m a local, the answer is very much yes.
I went to St John’s Primary School in Dukinfield, and let’s just say I probably wasn’t the easiest child to manage. Growing up, I had four main hobbies: Scouts, Karate, road cycling, and playing in a brass band.
I started at Stalybridge B Band, and that sparked something that’s stayed with me ever since.
Brass Bands, High Schools, and Bad Decisions
When it came time for high school, I wanted one with a brass band. There were only two all-boys schools nearby, which didn’t appeal, and Mossley Hollins was a bit of a trek for an 11-year-old from Dukinfield. But I went anyway.
I spent five years there, made some great friends, and yes, at one point I got kicked out of the school band for telling the music teacher to F-off. In my defence, Whit Friday is competitive, and when you’re playing solo horn in a village band but only 7th second horn in the school band, you can understand why I wasn’t exactly thrilled about swapping spots.
Early Work Ethic
After school, I used to help out at my dad’s butchers shop on Micklehurst Road in Mossley. I’d clean up and get paid £1. My dad and I didn’t always see eye to eye, and that little arrangement didn’t last very long, but it definitely taught me the value of graft, independence, and knowing when to keep my mouth shut. Something I’ve occasionally improved on since.
Where My Love of Computers Began
My interest in computers started when I was given an Amiga 500 for my birthday. My parents didn’t have much money, so I know that gift meant a lot. I still remember my mum using vouchers and going to the market in Stalybridge to buy school uniform, so having that Amiga was a big deal in our house.
Gaming on floppy disks that you could never quite complete was a proper childhood highlight. If you know, you know.
Then came our first PC, and I still remember queueing outside PC World when it first opened to get one at a discounted price because we simply couldn’t afford one otherwise. And of course, there was dial-up internet at 56k, the sound of impatience for a whole generation.
Learning by Doing
I survived five years at Mossley Hollins and made lots of friends, though I only still speak to three of them today. After that came college, where I wanted to study IT, but apparently I wasn’t clever enough at maths. Still don’t know what maths has to do with IT, but there you go.
I took my second-choice options at Ashton 6th Form, hated it, and dropped out at 16. But that turned out to be one of those unexpected turning points in life.
I got an IT training job at Apex in Hyde, then moved to the David Lewis Centre as an IT technician. After that I freelanced, doing all sorts of odd IT jobs at Co-op in Manchester and Manchester Airport, then went on to HSS Hire in Failsworth, West Hill Boys School in Stalybridge, Viglen in Sheffield, Manchester University, and Stockport Council supporting schools IT.
So yes, I’ve worked my way through IT from the bottom to the top, and I’ve picked up a lot of experience along the way. Probably a few grey hairs too.
Going Self-Employed
In 2015, I went self-employed and started my own business. It’s been hard work, but I’ve loved it. I genuinely couldn’t go back to working for someone else now.
ZenTec Network Solutions and ZenTec It Solutions grew from years of hands-on experience, proper graft, and a belief that businesses deserve IT support that’s honest, practical, and reliable.
I’ve built this business with my best friend and childhood mate, Ceridwen Grimshaw. We’ve known each other since growing up around brass bands, and honestly, deciding to do business together was one of the best choices I’ve ever made.
I’m the risk-taker, she’s the cautious one, so we balance each other out brilliantly. We’ve had our struggles, like any business but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Covid, Determination, and Computer Donations
Who remembers Covid? What a challenge that was. I’m still amazed we came out the other side. Our business survived just about, but that period led us in a direction I never could have imagined.
It all started with computer donations. Who would have thought that two people working out of a shed in a back garden could refurbish and give away nearly 3,000 laptops free of charge while earning hardly any money? I honestly still don’t know how we did it, apart from determination, stubbornness, and the words, “don’t give up.”
In August 2022, Tameside Community Computers CIC was born. We chose the CIC route because people don’t always want to fund limited companies, and this gave us a better way to grow the impact.
Tameside Community Computers CIC
Today, everything we do is 100% volunteer-driven. Nobody gets paid. We now have 22 volunteers, and we’ve helped over 8,000 people living in digital poverty.
That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
It’s not easy, and these days there are more organisations like ours popping up all the time.
But we’re still respected because we do what we say we’ll do. That matters to me.
The hardest part? Convincing businesses to part with their unused devices. You’d think that would be the easy bit, wouldn’t you?
Wider Impact
We’ve also helped children and families in Turkey, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, Uganda, and across the UK.
That part means a lot. Because at the end of the day, this work isn’t really about laptops. It’s about opportunity, dignity, inclusion, and giving people a fair start.
Why I Do What I Do
I do this because I know what it’s like when money is tight, when opportunities are limited, and when someone saying “yes” can change everything.
I’ve had a long journey from a lad in Dukinfield with a brass band, a second-hand computer dream, and more than a few questionable decisions, to someone who gets to help others through business, technology, and community work.
I’ve never claimed to have all the answers, and I’m definitely not perfect. But I care deeply, I work hard, and I always try to do the right thing.
Get In Touch
If you’ve liked what you’ve heard, and you think I sound stable enough, and you want an experienced IT company to look after your business, give ZenTec a call on 0161 359 3986 to get a meeting booked in. We can meet at your place, at Starbucks, or where business is really done, Miller & Carter, or the pub over a game of pool.
If you’d like to support Tameside Community Computers CIC with volunteer time, devices that can be reused rather than recycled, or a financial donation, contact us on 0161 553 0060 or [email protected].
Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I just wanted to give you a bit of background about me, and hopefully a smile along the way.
