Get Online Week: How can you help fix the digital divide?

Can you help spread the word - and do more to fix the digital divide? Here are three things you can do today, in a new guest blog by the Good Things Foundation to kick off Get Online Week:

1. Promote Get Online Week through your socials and networks

As more essential services move online, not having access to the internet leaves you significantly disadvantaged. The internet is a vital tool that connects us not just to friends and family, but to job opportunities, savings, important health information and digitised public services. 

But, as our latest Digital Nation infographic shows, 10 million people in the UK lack the most basic digital skills. We need to act now to make sure these people aren't locked out of the ever-evolving online world.

That’s why Get Online Week is so important. The campaign helps people kickstart their digital skills journey with personalised, in person support. Community organisations across the UK are running local events to help people Try One Thing online and boost their digital knowledge.

To support Get Online Week, follow the campaign on Twitter and help us spread the word about the importance of digital inclusion using the hashtag ‘#GetOnlineWeek’.

2. Sign up to join the National Databank and help fight data poverty

During Get Online Week, Good Things Foundation will also be offering community organisations a chance to join our National Databank. Created with Virgin Media O2 and with data donated from Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three, the databank gives out free mobile data to registered local community organisations with direct reach to people in need.

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, this has never been more important. Many households across the UK will be looking to cut costs this winter, and whilst energy bills, housing and food prices are the biggest strains on people’s finances, people still need access to the internet. If people are forced offline during this difficult time, they can’t access health appointments, Universal Credit, and online banking.

If you support people who might be struggling to afford their internet bills (or you know an organisation which fits the bill), Get Online Week is the perfect time to join the National Databank. With your support, we can make sure that people aren’t forced to sacrifice their internet connection this winter. 

3. Donate old tech and devices to the National Device Bank

We want to partner with businesses to help build the UK’s first ever National Device Bank. The Device Bank will provide devices to people in need through thousands of community organisations in Good Things Foundation's network.

This is a pioneering circular economy partnership and we’re looking for donations of devices and tech from corporates and public sector bodies. We've partnered with Reconome, expert in IT logistics and data assurance, to sustainably refurbish redundant equipment to give it a productive second life. Together we are creating a scaled solution that is good for the planet and will fuel digital inclusion.

Good Things Foundation will pair devices with data connectivity from the National Databank,  making sure every device can be connected and gifted to someone in need.

Get in touch if you want to help: [email protected] or complete this form to inquire.

Visit our website to read more about how Good Things Foundation plans to fix the digital divide - for good.