Embargoed until 00.01 hours Wednesday 26th January 2021
Tech Lending Community Fund opens to tackle digital isolation and e-waste Environmental charity Hubbub and Virgin Media O2 are today launching a £400,000 fund to enable a pioneering tablet lending scheme which will make tablets and free mobile data available to community organisations supporting people in temporary accommodation. The Tech Lending Community Fund will deliver social and environmental benefits by helping people facing digital exclusion to access the internet, while reducing e-waste by maximising the use of refurbished digital devices. Grants of between £50,000 and £120,000 are available to organisations such as local councils, NGOs and community groups to purchase refurbished devices to lend to groups in temporary accommodation. These might include refugees, young people facing hardship, those recently released from prison and domestic abuse survivors. The tablets will help people connect with loved ones, access healthcare, complete training or job applications and take part in virtual interviews. The initial aim is to establish and support up to five Tech Lending Hubs in locations across the UK and make at least 1,000 high quality refurbished devices available. This builds on Hubbub and O2’s Community Calling initiative which has redistributed more than 9,000 donated smartphones to people in need, and has reduced potential e-waste, too. The free mobile data will be provided by Virgin Media O2’s National Databank created in partnership in digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation. The grant fund is also being supported by Amazon who are providing an additional £100,000 to support the running costs of the lending hubs. Trewin Restorick, CEO and founder of Hubbub said: “This is a really exciting project which not only helps address the pressing issue of e-waste - one of the world’s fastest growing and most toxic waste streams – but also aims to support at least 4,000 people in temporary accommodation facing digital isolation. We’re very keen to hear from community groups interested in pioneering a community lending scheme.” “Our long-term ambition is to create a strong and vibrant network of tech lending hubs supported by high quality resources and guidance. This is a similar model to our Community Fridge Network which is now helping address waste and inequality in every corner of the country.”