Flintshire County Council has joined forces with Good Things Foundation to ensure residents on low incomes are digitally enabled by providing them with free SIM cards and data vouchers through the National Databank.
Members within the partnership
This new partnership will see free SIM cards and data vouchers distributed from five Connects Centres* to eligible residents, taking a trust-based approach. The free data has been provided by Virgin Media, O2, Vodafone and Three.
Our Connect Centres have recently joined Good Things Foundation’s National Digital Inclusion Network (‘online centres’) which gives the Council access to the National Databank. Good Things Foundation is a charity helping people improve their lives through digital and their vision fits well with the Council’s ambitions.
The Council’s vision
Flintshire’s Cabinet Member for Governance and Corporate Services, Councillor Billy Mullin, said:
“I am delighted to announce the introduction of a Databank at all our Connects Centres. I am especially proud that Flintshire is one of the first Councils in Wales – and the first in North Wales – to provide this service.
“Providing free data SIMs to residents in low income households means no one should be left behind in our developing digital world. The teams at our Connects Centres are available to support residents to access the internet and I encourage anyone who needs our help to get in touch.”
Cllr Billy Mullin, Cabinet Member for Governance and Corporate Services
As part of the Council’s digital vision, we are working with partners to support people to get online, helping residents access the internet, data connectivity and devices, helping to fix the digital divide in communities.
Good Things Foundation’s Director for Evidence and Engagement, Emma Stone, said:
“We are thrilled Flintshire has come on board and joined our network and National Databank. As a proud partner to Cwmpas and Digital Communities Wales – we hope more councils and community organisations will follow Flintshire’s example and help to tackle data poverty and fix the digital divide in communities.”
Additional Information and Resources
The Connects Centres will also be offering free digital training sessions in partnership with Good Things Foundation – more information on these will be available in the near future. You can find out about the National Databank and Good Things Foundation here. Accessible information on how to support people with connectivity is available here with English and Welsh language versions available.
For help with digital skills and for information about the Databank you can contact your local Connects Centre here.
* Buckley, Connah’s Quay, Flint, Holywell, Mold