Ismat's story: How digital access transformed his new life

Without a reliable internet connection or a computer, Ismat found it incredibly difficult to navigate daily life in Middlesbrough. Relying solely on a smartphone wasn't enough to help him progress. He struggled to access vital software like Microsoft Word and Excel, leaving him feeling isolated and stuck.

"You feel like you are captured and you cannot access anything," Ismat recalls. "You can’t use your phone for everything. You need a laptop for work and for study. A phone is just for calls or maps."

A turning point with the Hope Foundation

Ismat’s life began to change when he connected with the Hope Foundation, a Middlesbrough-based charity and National Digital Inclusion Network hub. The team helped Ismat get back on track by enrolling him in IT classes and providing him with two vital tools: a laptop and a free SIM card.

The impact was immediate.

"If I didn’t have a SIM card, I couldn’t apply for college or know where it is," Ismat says. "The internet helped me to use maps… I feel more comfortable."

With his new laptop, Ismat customised the settings to fit his needs, proudly stating, "I know everything about it because it’s mine." The technology allowed him to enroll in a local college, use Microsoft Teams to interact with his tutors, practice for exams, and use Duolingo to improve his English. Most importantly, it gave him a sense of belonging:

"I feel happy because it makes it easy to connect to my friends and the community... It’s opened a door to the world."

The reality of data rationing

While the laptop and SIM card transformed Ismat's life, living on limited data presents daily anxieties. To make his data last the full month, Ismat has to carefully ration his internet use, choosing only the most essential tasks.

This digital rationing means he is locked out of vital tools:

• Healthcare: He hasn't been able to download the NHS app. "I didn't think to download it because I'm worried I'll lose data," he explains.
• Education: While he has maintained an impressive 400-day learning streak on Duolingo, his data limits prevent him from using the app's extra learning options.
• Mental health: Ismat uses meditation apps to cope when he wakes up from nightmares. Without the internet, this vital support system disappears.

"If I had unlimited data, it would make it easy," he says. "You don’t need to worry about it, you can just use it and learn more."