Since May 2023, we have been partnered with the Good Things Foundation, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, and Three, to roll out the National Databank programme to Digital Cafes across York which are helping residents most at need. 

 

Since the start of the contract, numerous eleigible residents have been able to benefit from free mobile data, ensuring they can stay connected in a growing digital world. 

 

According to a study commissioned by Virgin Media O2, the cost of living crisis is stopping 10% of people with household incomes of up to £25,000 from calling or texting their loved ones, or limiting how they use their mobile data. And a further 70% of this group said they don't know what they would do if they couldn't access the internet. 

 

The National Databank offers people struggling to stay connected free mobile data top-ups to help ensure they can access online services and keep in touch with family and friends. 

 

The contract was initially set to expire on Tuesday 31st December 2024, however the Keeping Digital Foundation are delighted to confirm a secured extension of this contract until Wednesday 31st December 2025. 

 

The Databank services are already available at our Digital Cafes across York and the Keeping Digital Foundation hub at Monks Cross, York. 

 

People from across York can travel to any of these Digital Cafe services to talk to a volunteer and receive digital inclusion support. Our volunteers will then be able to help eligible residents apply to the Databank. 

 

The programme allows those eligible to recieve a free data top-up. In order to make sure the programme supports those most at need, someone receiving data through the Databank must be 18+ years old and be from a low-income household. They must also either have no or insufficient access to the internet at home, or when away from home, or be unable to afford their existing monthly contract or top up. 

 

Residents are then able to recieve support from the databank for up to 12 months, whilst also receiving monthly digital inclusion support from the Keeping Digital Foundation, both via email and at our Digital Cafe services. 

 

Residents who are eligible for the programme can visit a Digital Cafe service to talk to a volunteer and apply for the scheme. Full information on eligibility and how to get support is available on the Databank page. We have also partnered up with Virgin Money and O2 to highlight all of their branches where residents can also receive Databank support across the country.