A lack of digital skills and access can have a huge negative impact on a person’s life, leading to poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy, increased loneliness and social isolation, less access to jobs and education
It can mean paying more for essentials, financial exclusion, an increased risk of experiencing poverty. People who are digitally excluded also lack a voice and visibility in the modern world, as government services and democracy increasingly move online.
What’s more, it’s those already at a disadvantage – through age, education, income, disability, or unemployment – who are most likely to be missing out, further widening the social inequality gap.
We are delighted to share that UCAN have been successful in becoming part of the UK National Databank powered by Good Things Foundation and its partners Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three. This is to support individuals experiencing health inequalities and who are digitally excluded. The Databank supports UCAN supplying SIM cards to vulnerable individuals who are experiencing lack of mobile connectivity and data.
In particular, we are supporting the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by offering support with mobile data to refugees also from other countries arriving in the UK who are escaping war and persecution.
For more information contact our Digital project lead Ali Firth – email ali.firth@westessexcan.org or visit the digitalshare website to apply for a data donation www.digitalshare.org