"Vulnerable, isolated and digitally excluded"

With millions self-isolating with no access to the internet, campaigners are working hard to get them online.

By Josh Bolton

As we enter the fifth week of lockdown, we are reliant on the internet more than ever.

Whether it's to work from home, connect with relatives, order groceries, access health advice, or to stream entertainment – internet connection is essential to our daily lives.

Although entering lockdown has been a difficult transition for everyone, a spokesperson for the digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation said it has been significantly more challenging for the 1.7 million households in Britain that have no internet connection.

"For people who are able to use technology, shifting everyday life online has been strange and unexpected. For many of the millions of people who can’t, the lockdown has meant crippling loneliness and social isolation - affecting every area of their lives "
Good Things Foundation

A report by the Good Things Foundation found that 39% of non-internet users are older than 75 and 48% are chronically ill or disabled.

This means that those who are at highest risk from Coronavirus are often the hardest to reach with communications.

This is thrown into sharp focus by the fact that according to the NHS, of the one million people who received a letter telling them they must stay at home and shield, 250,000 were not able to receive the follow up information sent via SMS.

Liz Williams, CEO of FutureDotNow, a coalition of 80 organisations working with the government to boost the UK's digital skills, said "Those who are digitally disadvantaged are often also more at risk of being affected by COVID-19. Leaving the house presents an even bigger risk for these people."

However, she also said it is not just the elderly who are digitally excluded.

The poorest in society are much more likely to have no access to the internet, with 45% of non-users earning less than £11,500.

"It's not a problem unique to a single demographic. For example, we estimate that a million children and their families don't have access to a device or connectivity at their homes for their education needs," Ms Williams said.

In order to tackle this problem, FutureDotNow have launched a national initiative called DevicesDotNow.

They have appealed to businesses to donate smartphones, tablets and connectivity devices, or money to buy these, which they then transfer to local community centres who distribute them to those in need.

The devices are pre-loaded with relevant apps such as the NHS and video calling apps.

Digital training is provided using their online learning platform installed on the devices and local community groups will also be on-hand to offer support over the phone.

Ms Williams said she has been overwhelmed by the generosity of donations, so far 13,000 devices have been pledged.

“The response from the business community to help the UK tackle this crisis has been exceptional. No-one can fail to be impressed by the way organisations of all shapes and sizes have rallied in support of this national challenge.”

All those involved in the campaign are working pro-bono and often working throughout the night, alongside their day jobs.

The first batch of donations arrived at community centres around the country last week. Thousands of devices have already been delivered to those in need.

Hayley Nelson from the Learn for Life Enterprise in Sheffield spent the weekend distributing tablets loaded with 4G sims to houses in Sharrow.

“Most of our students are from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. They have fled their countries with only the clothes on their backs in most cases. They have very low income, as asylum seekers only get £37 a week to live on, and do not have internet in their homes.”

“They were feeling lonely and isolated and struggling to keep in touch with their friends and family. I’ve spoken to them since we delivered the tablets and they’ve been able to video call their loved ones. The devices will make lockdown much easier for them.”

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