Nominet is providing essential funding to Good Things Foundation for the ‘Everyone Connected’ programme, which aims to help people whose lives are severely affected by digital exclusion and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ‘Everyone Connected’ programme will tackle the challenges facing digitally excluded people, providing not only devices but data connection and digital skills support. It will reach people from diverse communities and backgrounds around the UK, engaging them through community-based learning, as part of a package of support based on individual needs.
The partnership between Nominet and Good Things Foundation was forged early in 2020, when they teamed up to respond to the critical shortage of digital access during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns with the ‘DevicesDotNow’ emergency appeal. This programme builds on that work by giving comprehensive support to people in local communities whose lives are affected by digital poverty.
Lack of devices, data and digital skills can pose a serious disadvantage to people – an inequality which can be caused by factors including age, education, income, disability and unemployment. From making a video call to a family member during lockdown, to applying for jobs online, ordering prescriptions or accessing essential government information, their lives are immeasurably impacted. This Nominet grant of £500,000 will target 1000 people and support them to get up and running online, ensuring they have tools and training they need.
Helen Milner OBE, CEO, Good Things Foundation said:
“We’re delighted to announce this partnership with Nominet, funding devices, data and support for 1,000 people whose lives are severely impacted by digital exclusion and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 has laid bare the extent of digital exclusion in the UK. 7 million people in the UK can’t afford to have the internet at home, and over 10 million don’t have a smartphone. People who can’t afford a device or data have struggled to access education, financial and job support, and health appointments.
This one-year programme, helping people who face the most severe barriers to their life chances due to the pandemic, will have a profound impact, helping to build long term sustainability and lasting change.
Through the Everyone Connected programme, Good Things Foundation will work with its network of hyperlocal partners to reach, engage and support people, working together to help fix the digital divide, level up opportunity and drive recovery.”
Ellie Bradley, MD of Registry & Public Benefit, said:
“With this project we’re building on the work we’ve done together. ‘Everyone connected’ addresses the problems inherent in tackling one aspect of a larger, more complex problem. It’s a comprehensive approach to ensure we think about and tackle every roadblock for those who are excluded.”
One of the main challenges of digital inclusion, which is what ‘Everyone Connected’ has been devised to promote, is that people who need help the most cannot get online to ask for it. The Online Centres Network (OCN) will work with a network of hyperlocal partners to provide practical support by telephone to help people begin to use their device and access essential services.
The next phase of the campaign will use some of the Nominet funding to establishing a Data Poverty Lab to collaborate and work with groups or organisations who share the partnership’s ambition to end data poverty in the UK.”
Project Link – https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/projects/everyone-connected
About Nominet
Nominet is driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For over 20 years, Nominet has run the UK internet infrastructure, developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention, and analytics that is used by governments and enterprises to mitigate cyber threats. Our public benefit programme aims to improve the lives of one million people, providing support and opportunities to tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today. www.nominet.uk
About Good Things Foundation
Good Things Foundation is a social change charity, helping people to improve their lives through digital. Through thousands* of network partners in communities across the UK, Good Things Foundation helps people gain the support and skills they need to improve their lives; and believes that everyone should have the confidence, skills, support and access to use digital technology, participate in society and benefit from the digital world. For more information on Good Things Foundation visit www.goodthingsfoundation.org