Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub, are providing more than 500 used tablets and smartphones to people in need.
The equipment is financed by a £400,000 device lending scheme organised by the Tech Lending Community Scheme, established in 2022, aims to provide used devices to people in need, while also giving tech a second life, preventing it ending up in landfill.
As part of a new round of funding, homelessness charities, Centrepoint andThames Reach. will get more than 500 tablets and smartphones connected by free O2 mobile data from the National Databank set up by Virgin Media O2 and charity, Good Things Foundation.
Refuge, the charity supporting victims of domestic abuse, will also get continued funding and support for their device lending scheme. The project receives additional support from Reconome, a company which does refurbishing of second-hand devices.
Virgin Media O2’s sustainability strategy is called the Better Connections Plan and aims to connect a million deprived people through free and affordable services by the end of 2025
“Data and devices can be a lifeline for people in need. Initiatives like The Tech Lending Community scheme and National Databank are vital in addressing digital exclusion and data poverty, and help to transform people’s lives in communities across the UK.” said Virgin Media chief sustainability officer Dana Haidan.
