Lincolnshire Libraries Battle Digital Exclusion With Free SIM Card Scheme
14 December 2023
Lincolnshire Libraries Battle Digital Exclusion With Free SIM Card Scheme
The Good Things Foundation are working with Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three in 2023 on a data gifting initiative called the National Databank. Thanks to this scheme Lincolnshire Libraries have been provided with a supply of data vouchers for gifting to individuals experiencing data hardship. We are holding weekly Databank Surgeries to gift the data vouchers to individuals referred to us who meet the below criteria.
Who is eligible?
Someone receiving data through the National Databank must be 18+ years old AND be from a low income household and qualify in one or several of the following statements:
- Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
- AND/OR has no/ insufficient access to the internet when away from the home
- AND/OR cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up
Residents who are on benefits and can authenticate it are also eligible. For example residents receiving: Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, Pensioners Credit or Housing Benefit
What is being gifted?
We can gift an individual one of the 3 different types of data vouchers/SIMs that the participating providers have donated. Their offers do vary:
- O2, data calls and texts—PAYG SIM or digital data voucher (if already on O2) providing 20GB, free calls and texts for 30 days from activation. Vouchers can be issued for 1 - 6 months
- Vodafone, data, calls and texts—SIM cards preloaded with 40GB data, free calls and texts for 30 days, refreshes automatically for 6 months
- Three, data only— SIM cards preloaded with 24GB data in total
As we have a limited number of data vouchers each month, gifting has to be on a first come, first serve basis.
Please note that the gifting has to happen at the library. We are not able gift via partners, send SIMs/vouchers to another location to be collected or gift multiple vouchers to one individual for distribution to others. Additionally, if you are fortunate enough to look under 18 years of age then ID will need to be provided.
When and where are our Databank Surgeries?
- Boston Library – Wednesday 2pm – 5pm
- Gainsborough Library - Wednesday 2pm – 4pm
- Grantham Library – Wednesday 2pm – 4pm
- Horncastle Library – Thursday 3pm – 4pm
- Lincoln Central Library – Monday and Friday 2pm – 5pm
- Long Sutton Library – Tuesday 2pm – 3pm
- Louth Library – Wednesday 10am – 12noon
- Mablethorpe Library – Wednesday 10.30am – 12noon
- Market Rasen Library – Friday 1pm – 3pm
- Skegness Library – Friday 10am – 12noon
- Sleaford Library – Tuesday 2pm – 4.30pm
- Spalding Library – Wednesday 10.30am – 12noon
- Stamford Library – Thursday 2pm – 4pm
- Woodhall Spa Library – Tuesday 4pm – 5pm and Thursday 11am – 12noon
For more information contact the team at your local library
