Cellnex is Europe’s leading operator of wireless telecommunications infrastructures. In the UK Cellnex offers a broad portfolio of connectivity solutions that enable digital transformation in the places that we live, work, travel and socialise. Cellnex UK has partnered with UK Community Foundations since 2021, supporting a number of initiatives that promote digital inclusion across the country.
In 2022 they decided to increase their support in urban areas including London. As part of this programme, we have introduced Cellnex UK to 10 community organisations across London who work with marginalised and vulnerable Londoners who need support to get online. Their vital funding will provide equipment, skills, and support to increase their access to digital. In 2023, 4 of these community organisations received further funding from Cellnex UK.
We’re proud to be long-term partners of The London Community Foundation, working together to help those most vulnerable to digital exclusion. Having the right skills and access to devices is vital in today’s increasingly digitised society, particularly in cities like London that are bringing large proportions of their public services online. This initiative will help prevent people from being left behind and brings us a step closer to bridging the digital divide.Gianluca Landolina, CEO, Cellnex UK
See below for a full list of the ten community organisations being supported through this programme, and their corresponding projects.
The need for better digital inclusion
The internet and digital have become increasingly embedded and relevant to our everyday lives, making digital literacy not just desirable, but essential to many people’s way of life. The digitalisation process was only accelerated by the pandemic, which forced many processes online. At the same time, there are huge disparities in internet access, skills and connectivity meaning many people can be excluded from this changing world. Digital inclusion works to improve and support people’s digital skills, accessibility and connectivity to ensure they are not left behind as this technology advances.
These 10 partner organisations support beneficiaries in a number of ways:
- Building confidence, safety and peace of mind for greater independence online
- Removing barriers to public services/funds: previously offline tasks have moved online, such as court hearings, job interviews, forms for welfare benefits, applications for housing
- Providing access to information: broadening their access to information that they may not have found elsewhere, broadening perspectives, inspiring career options, and greatly enhancing people’s capacity for communication and interaction with others in all aspects of life, e.g. supporting children with online homework, shopping online, etc.
- Reducing isolation: maintaining social contact during COVID-19, meeting new people and forming new friendships, particularly for those who are vulnerable or disabled, single or young mothers, older people
- Providing internet access for those do not have access to digital devices at home: this can particularly affect children, many of whom come from multiple sibling households and have to share one device. This access teaches transferable digital skills to use in both school and their future lives.
To find out more about digital inclusion, head to the NHS Digital website.
To find out more about how your organisation can work with The London Community Foundation to support community organisations like these, contact Laura Perkins at laura.perkins@londoncf.org.uk