Did you know that 14m people in the UK have the lowest digital capability? This means that over 20% of us are likely to struggle interacting with online services and are at risk of being left behind and left out from society. Meanwhile, half a million in the UK are offline, citing a lack of support, access to devices, and costs as primary reasons.
“Digital exclusion means a lack of opportunity, and holding people back from the benefits digital services deliver in terms of accessing healthcare, education, and essential services,” comments Paul Fletcher, CEO, Nominet, “Those that face digital exclusion are best supported in their community – by people they can trust.”
Which is why we’re proud to continue our funding of Good Things Foundation, to accelerate their strategy to fix the UK’s digital divide – for good.
The funding from Nominet will allow Good Things Foundation to continue to support the National Digital Inclusion Network, which works with community groups, small local charities, libraries, social enterprises, housing associations, and others to distribute free data and devices and provide support in developing basic digital skills and confidence.
Through the National Digital Inclusion Network, Good Things Foundation provides support and services including the National Databank, which has been dubbed ‘like a foodbank, but for mobile connectivity’. The funds will also be used to help the Good Things Foundation’s National Device Bank, which provides new or refurbished devices to those facing digital exclusion, benefitting both people and the environment. With Nominet’s aid, the charity will continue to address accessibility issues through its digital skills platform, Learn My Way, which teaches individuals with little or no digital skills how to use the internet and digital technology.
Helen Milner OBE, Group CEO, Good Things Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to continue to partner with Nominet and gratefully accept this generous funding, helping hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in communities to get connected through our National Digital Inclusion Network’s combined offer of devices, data and digital skills support.
“With 1 in 20 UK households having no home internet access, and 10 million adults lacking the most basic digital skills, collectively we all need to do more to help the most vulnerable people in our society connect with all things digital.
“That’s why we’re asking for more ambitious and far-reaching change as we scale up and expand our work in the UK. Together, we can fix the digital divide – for good.”