Nominet has said it will donate £4.5 million over the next three years to digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation.
The public benefit company that operates and protects the UK’s internet infrastructure said the funding will enable the charity to continue support the National Digital Inclusion Network.
It will also support the National Device Bank and the National Databank.
The two organisations began to work in partnership early in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, when they helped to respond to the shortage of digital access among disadvantaged people with the DevicesDotNow emergency appeal.
In 2021, Nominet support Good Things’s launch of the Data Poverty Lab, aimed at making the internet affordable for people on low incomes and free for the those on very low incomes.
Localised approach works
Paul Fletcher, chief executive officer of Nominet, said: “Digital exclusion means a lack of opportunity, and holding people back from the benefits digital services deliver in terms of accessing healthcare, education, and essential services. Those that face digital exclusion are best supported in their community – by people they can trust. This localised approach has been proven to work and we’re excited about helping Good Things Foundation scale its work across the UK.”
Helen Milner, group chief executive officer of Good Things, commented: “With one in 20 UK households having no home internet access, and 10 million adults lacking the most basic digital skills, collectively we all need to do more to help the most vulnerable people in our society connect with all things digital.
“That’s why we’re asking for more ambitious and far reaching change as we scale up and expand our work in the UK. Together, we can fix the digital divide - for good.”
