Refugee Roots will be distributing free SIM cards to participants, via Vodafone's charities.connected initiative, to tackle digital exclusion in Nottingham. It is the second round for Refugee Roots who previously distributed 150 SIM cards to refugees in the area. Refugee Roots reapplied to Vodafone’s charities.connected initiative following overwhelming feedback from participants in relation to the need for SIM cards. Participants have expressed how grateful they are and the difference the SIM cards have made.  Vodafone have awarded Refugee Roots a further 175 SIM cards for distribution to participants.   

Refugee Roots will use the connectivity to support refugees (individuals and families) in the area to get online and access its services. Issa told Refugee Roots “this SIM card changed my life, it’s everything to me, it helps me find my way around Nottingham and it has helped me learn English”.

Vodafone’s charities.connected initiative is open to any registered charity that would benefit from free connectivity, either to improve its digital capability, extend its services or help the individuals and families it supports get online. Registered charities can apply for the free connectivity, in the form of SIM cards with 40GB data a month, plus free calls and texts, for six months here.   

Emma Reynolds, Head of Communications, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Vodafone UK said: 

“We are committed to tackling digital exclusion.  We hope that by providing free connectivity to Refugee Roots and the other amazing charities across the UK who have such an enormous impact on their local communities, we can help create a more inclusive digital society.  We urge any organisation who thinks they can benefit to apply online and look forward to hearing how this connectivity has helped.”

Vodafone’s charities.connected initiative is part of its commitment to tackle digital exclusion and connect one million people by the end of 2022. 

How can you help?

If you have an old mobile phone which is in good working order, please consider donating it to us so we can pass it on to a participant who doesn’t currently have a mobile device.

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