Crossing the Digital Divide: Linda's story

Scam near-miss following loss

After losing a family member to cancer, Linda was going through a really hard time.

Then, she was almost scammed after being offered phones and earpods.

Thankfully, Linda had already been introduced by a friend to Helping Harry Help Others, a centre supported by National Digital Inclusion Network hub, Smartlyte - Get Families Talking.

Learning about online safety and getting data

At the centre, Linda has received support, been helped to develop her digital skills and met "so many lovely people."

As well as joining the digital skills sessions, she has received a SIM card from the National Databank - before she didn't have the data.

Expanding digital skills

Thanks to the sessions, Linda has been able to expand her digital skills. She's been able to learn about AI and online safety.

She can also use the NHS app, something she didn't know how to do before, which has made life a lot easier.

Linda said: 

"...The computer course has been a real help to me to try and make me understand a bit more about the internet and how safe to be while on it...I'm enjoying the course...all I can say is a big thank you for helping me and supporting me and making me understand and aware of scamming and everything else that goes with being on social media."

How the free data has helped

The SIM card has enabled Linda to use her mobile phone when she's out and also means she can connect to her laptop too.

She added:

"..,It's helped me be able to go onto the internet...if I want to browse on my laptop I can do so now, where before I didn't have the data to do that, so it's helped massively...I'm very happy and it's picked my mood up as well."