Ways to Wellness becomes National Databank Hub

Internet access is vital in our lives, whether for work or staying in touch with friends and family. Yet, two million households lack home internet, and 2.4 million can’t afford a mobile phone. 

North East England has one of the highest rates of digital exclusion, with 8% of people offline, and a digital engagement rate of just 32%, according to research from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s Skills Advisory Panel. 

A lack of internet access can have far reaching ramifications for people’s lives, not least on their mental and physical health, as those who are digitally excluded can be up to three times more likely to be unemployed. A lack of digital skills or internet access can make looking for and finding jobs significantly harder, increasing stress and exacerbating the symptoms of many conditions as a result. This can make it all the more challenging to make positive choices in terms of exercise and nutrition – many of which can be costly, or may feel self-indulgent to people whose time and attention is focused around seeking work, as well as taking care of family needs.  

This digital barrier therefore predominantly affects vulnerable individuals that already face health inequalities, such as our clients, who are supported by our social prescribing link workers around a range of issues, from pain management to mental health and access to community services and welfare benefits, factors only perpetuated by a lack of internet access.  

That is why Ways to Wellness has joined the National Digital Inclusion Network – a community hosted by the Good Things Foundation with the aim of fixing this digital divide! 

As a National Databank Hub, Ways to Wellness’ link workers can now issue SIM cards to the most vulnerable individuals they are working with, helping improve that community access that is so vital to our quality of life. 

Supported by the mobile phone network hosts Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, and Three, the National Databank, launched in 2021, was founded to tackle data poverty and isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Within a year, it grew to include more than 1,000 Digital Inclusion Hubs that provide free mobile data to people in their communities that are most isolated from community access. 

Today, there are more than 2,500 Digital Inclusion Hubs offering National Databank support, and more than 125,000 data packages have been distributed so far, with 98% of recipients stating they feel happier, healthier, and/or better off as a result. 

As a National Databank Hub, Ways to Wellness can work towards tackling digital exclusion by offering SIM cards to clients who: 

• Are at least 18 years old 

• Lack, or have insufficient access to the internet at home, and 

• can’t afford an existing monthly mobile phone contract or top-up arrangement. 

Find out more about the kinds of support we offer to clients by visiting: https://www.waystowellness.org.uk/how-we-work