Good Things Foundation launches brand new map and directory

It’s a big day for digitally excluded people and everyone who supports them as a new map and directory makes it very easy to search nearby to work out what help is at hand. We’re pretty excited about it at Good Things Foundation too –   The new map covers the whole of the UK and shows active Digital Inclusion Hubs (and local Databanks), who are partners in the National Digital Inclusion Network. 

In our strategy we said that by 2025 we want everyone to have somewhere local to go to get help using the internet. The launch of this map makes sure people can identify and access the support near them so that more people can experience the benefits of the online world. 

This help is so critical as the cost-of-living crisis keeps biting hard and more people need digital inclusion support – particularly with affording internet access. People shouldn’t have to sacrifice their internet access during this challenging time. 

Now, people can quickly and easily search for hubs delivering support in our three service areas: 

The National Databank

The  National Databank is now operating in over 1,000 locations across the UK! The databank is like a foodbank but for data connectivity, giving free data to people in need. You can search for a local databank near you.

Digital skills support – Learn My Way

We recently launched a new and improved Learn My Way, our free platform for digital learning. Digital Inclusion Hubs across the UK are supporting people to improve their digital skills though Learn My Way – ensuring that they have the skills and the confidence to get online. Find a local partner that can help with your basic digital skills.

Coming soon: The National Device Bank 

The National Device Bank refurbishes old devices and gives them to people struggling to afford them – paired with free data from the databank. As the numbers of devices are in the thousands (not tens of thousands) we’re not promoting this yet on the map, but hope to be able to soon as the Device Bank grows.

Our strategic goal is, by 2025, to be supporting 5,000 local partners to help people to remove the barriers to digital inclusion. There are thousands of partners already on the map but we’d like every town, city, and community to show the help that’s on offer.

We’d really value your help to make sure we can reach as many digital excluded people as possible showing the free connectivity and free digital skills support on offer from thousands of local partners. We’ve created a series of communications packs to make it easy for you to promote this. The packs include a range of social media graphics to bring your posts to life! 

Download a communications pack:

• Communications pack for network members 
• Communications pack for Strategic Partners and Stakeholders 
• Communications pack for community networks 

If there are other ways you’d like to amplify our message on social media, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at press@goodthingsfoundation.org – we’d love to hear from you. 

Are you a community organisation that could deliver digital inclusion support? 

Join the National Digital Inclusion Network to get started! You could be showing up on this map in no time.

If you’re a community organisation that already is – or wants to – support your community to get online and access the benefits of digital, then joining the network will help you do exactly that. It’s free to join and offers a range of free services, such as: 

• Access to the National Databank and National Device Bank
• Free training and resources
• Networking opportunities
• Access to the online learning platform, Learn My Way.

The network is open to any organisation that is delivering or wants to deliver digital inclusion support. Find out more and sign up here or contact hello@goodthingsfoundation.org for more information.