National Device Bank
Good Things Foundation is building the UK's first ever National Device Bank. Devices will be provided to people in need by thousands of community organisations in Good Things Foundation's network. Find out how you can help.
About the National Device Bank
With 1.5 million households with no access to the internet (Ofcom, 2021) and 10 million people in the UK lacking basic digital skills (Lloyds CDI, 2021), digitally excluded people in the UK are being left behind. The pandemic reminded us that it’s not OK to leave millions of people locked out of essential services and support, locked out of jobs, savings, health and well-being, and locked out of connection with loved ones. The internet is an essential lifeline, and with the cost of living rising faster than ever, we need to act quickly. The National Device Bank, delivered through community partners deep in disadvantaged communities, will allow us to provide a refurbished device alongside mobile internet access to break down the barriers of affordable access.
Reconome is our national tech partner, expert in IT logistics and data assurance. It sustainably refurbishes redundant equipment to give it a productive second life, with a special focus on helping excluded communities. Together we are creating a scaled solution that is good for the planet and will fuel digital inclusion.
But…we need your help.
Without companies’ used technology the Device Bank will not exist. We already have two global companies on track to help, but to reach the 2 million households who struggle to afford the internet we need many more employers to partner with us.
If you’re an organisation and can help – please complete this form and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
If you have any other queries, please contact us at partnerships@goodthingsfoundation.org.
Download PDF: How the National Device Bank works
We are building this national combined service to fix the digital divide with three essential elements:
Devices
Refurbished devices will be provided for free to people who can’t afford or access them through the National Device Bank.
Mobile internet connectivity
The recipient will have access to free data connectivity through the National Databank.
Support to get online
Devices and data will be provided to people in need by thousands of hyperlocal community organisations and charities in Good Things.
If you’re a company who wants to donate devices please fill out this form. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us: partnerships@goodthingsfoundation.org.
For anything else, you can contact us by clicking the button below.
Your devices, equipment and/or funds will be donated to Good Things Foundation so that we can run the National Device Bank as a sustainable digital inclusion service. With your help Community Organisations and charities will be able to apply to the Databank to provide free devices alongside free internet data to get people online who can’t afford internet access. The people who will have access to a device – alongside data – will:
Be 18+ years old
AND be from a low income household
AND have no access to a device.
Take a look at our simple infographic:
How the National Device Bank works
If you have any other queries, please contact us by clicking the button below.
You can get help through our network of Online Centres. Find your local centre by clicking the button below.
You can find details of your nearest Online Centre here. Our Learn My Way and Make It Click websites can help you increase your confidence and basic skills – click the button below to find out more.
Applications are now open for community organisations to be a part of the National Databank. Staff and volunteers at the Online Centres taking part in the programme will assess the needs of people they already support. They will use the Databank to obtain data and then share it with people they support for up to 12 months.
The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the digital divide. People are facing an unthinkable choice between mobile data and food. Making a financial donation today could help transform someone’s life through digital. Together we can fix the digital divide.
Our partners
Virgin Media O2
Reconome
Vodafone