Free Vodafone Sim Cards - A Lifeline Not A Luxury

Thousands of SIM cards are being distributed throughout the UK thanks to the collaboration between Vodafone’s charities.connected scheme and unconnected.org.

The project was designed to bring meaningful connectivity to those who desperately need access to mobile phones and data.

The organisations have since worked in harmony on the initiative to affect real meaningful change in people’s lives.

One of the beneficiaries of the 10,000 SIM cards Vodafone charities.connected have provided through unconnected.org was a mother who was the victim of years of coercive control and violent threats from her ex-husband, finding herself facing severe mental health issues as a consequence.

The woman, aged 30, was full of praise for the South West London community support charity Jigsaw4U and unconnected.org who helped with free connectivity and a phone as well as training her in how to get access to digital help that would enable her to make important decisions to rebuild her life.

“The service was outstanding. The first time we spoke you told me that I would eventually find peace in this process. I have finally got to that point after four years with help from your service and my amazing support worker.”

Her Vodafone SIM card gave her access to vital support, allowed her to finalise her divorce and enabled her to eventually gain weekend contact with her daughters.

This tale is far from a one off; the free SIM cards have helped all sorts of people by providing connectivity and support that can make an immeasurable difference in the lives of those facing adversity.

unconnected.org have been hearing stories of the tremendous social impact of the initiative, from supporting one Middle Eastern refugee who was forced into an arranged marriage in her home country to communicate with the Home Office regarding her case to remain in the UK, to the ability to access online English classes and connect to family at home via WhatsApp for an El Salvadoran woman who fled her country with her husband as her life was in danger.

Through projects like these unconnected.org and Vodafone are breaking down barriers one SIM card at a time.

Previous
Previous

Digital education for young Nigerians: The Zee Tech Foundation story

Next
Next

The Access Foundation - Bridging the Digital Divide around the world