Clanmil to provide free mobile data for customers who need it Posted on 19 August 2022
Clanmil has become the first housing association in Northern Ireland to supply free mobile data for customers who need it, thanks to its membership of the UK National Databank.
Access to the internet is now essential for so many day-to-day activities, but with no let-up in the cost-of-living-crisis, many people can’t afford to top up their phone or pay for Wi-Fi. Low-income families are now four times more likely to be digitally excluded.
Similar to a food bank, the National Databank provides internet connectivity data for those who can’t otherwise afford it due to financial pressures.
The National Databank’s work is made possible through a partnership with the Good Things Foundation, Three Mobile, 02 and Vodafone.
Eddie Smith, Senior Financial Inclusion Officer at Clanmil, explained why Clanmil applied for the service when it was launched in May:
“More and more the Money Advice Team are speaking to customers who are having to either reduce or completely stop using data on their phones or home devices because they just can’t afford it. With so many basic daily activities being done digitally now, not having access to Wi-Fi or data can make life really difficult for people.”
“Not only are people disadvantaged in terms of doing basic ‘life admin’ but they can also become socially isolated. We hope that this free data will make a real difference for people who need it.
“As well as providing free data, Clanmil can also help customers who don’t have a device by providing them with a smartphone through our Hardship Fund.”
Eddie and his team will be able to provide people who live in Clanmil homes who are in need with a SIM card for up to 20GBs (Gigabytes) of data and unlimited calls and texts free for 12 months on either Three, 02 or Vodafone.
There are some criteria that should be met for anyone who wants to apply for a SIM card, such as being over 18 years old and from a low-income household and in receipt of means-tested benefits or Universal Credit
Clanmil’s Money Advice Team support Clanmil customers to manage their finances as well as providing benefit advice and access to other financial support. In 2021-22 the team generated over £2.8 million in extra money for almost 800 customers.