Vodafone and Global, the media and entertainment group, today announced they are collaborating on a six-month campaign to raise awareness of digital exclusion and inspire the nation to get involved to help those living without devices and connectivity.

This follows Vodafone’s recent commitment to connect one million people by the end of 2022.

The campaign, titled everyone.connected, will run across Global’s full advertising portfolio which includes the UK’s best-loved commercial radio stations, its extensive nationwide outdoor estate and DAX, the digital advertising exchange platform.

The pandemic has highlighted the scale of digital exclusion, with the greatest impact felt by the most vulnerable in society. In the UK, 1.5m households, or approximately 6% of the population, are living without internet access.

The everyone.connected campaign launches today with a Heart Takeover Day exploring the impact of living without tech or connectivity in a world where it is essential to access work, education, healthcare and to keep in touch with family and friends.

This will be followed by a Special Report Week on LBC, featuring interviews between some of its best-known presenters (Nick Ferrari, James O’Brien, Shelagh Fogarty and Eddie Mair) and important and influential voices already working to tackle digital exclusion. Interviewees include Maro Itoje, Lions, England and Saracens rugby union player and Vodafone ambassador; Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation; and Michelle Lee-Izu, Corporate Director of Children Services, Barnardo’s.

Over summer and beyond, the campaign will include an outdoor advertising campaign, a special build in Leicester Square, a six-part social series led by Heart presenters, and an impact report highlighting how the campaign is helping those in need.

The everyone.connected campaign will highlight numerous ways for the nation to get involved to help tackle digital exclusion. This includes donating pre-loved phones, tablets or laptops for redistribution to young people and families who need them via Vodafone’s Great British Tech Appeal. People who don’t have devices to give away can support the campaign by making a cash donation to Global’s Make Some Noise, which supports small charities across the country including projects providing access to technology and digital skills training.

Max Taylor, Vodafone’s Consumer Director in the UK, said: “The past year has shown us the value of fast, reliable and accessible digital communications, but many people are still living without the devices and connectivity they need.

“At Vodafone, we’ve put tackling digital exclusion at the very heart of our business with our pledge to connect one million people by the end of 2022. The everyone.connected campaign is a key part of this – and we are extremely excited to be working with Global to raise awareness of this important issue.”

Katie Bowden, Director of Commercial Audio at Global, said: “Vodafone has done some fantastic work over the last year to help digitally excluded people get online and the everyone.connected campaign aims to take this to the next level.

“Digital exclusion is still a huge issue here in the UK, so we’re delighted to leverage the scale and reach of Global’s portfolio to highlight the problem and encourage people across the country to support Vodafone’s mission.”

Donating screens to the Great British Tech Appeal is simple, fast and free of charge. They can be dropped off at participating Vodafone stores or visit www.vodafone.co.uk/techappeal to request a donation kit including a flattened freepost box and pre-paid returns envelope. To donate cash, text CONNECT to 70766 [1] to give £5 to Global’s Make Some Noise in support of digital inclusion projects.

To find out more, please search Vodafone everyone connected.

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Note to Editors

The Great British Tech Appeal first launched in May 2020.  It asks the public and businesses to donate unwanted smartphones, tablets or laptops in working condition. Vodafone then adds six months of free connectivity and redistributes them to young people and families in need via charity partners Barnardo’s and Busines2Schools. Donating tech is simple, fast and free of charge.  For more information, visit: vodafone.co.uk/techappeal.

Please note: It is the donator’s responsibility to ensure that any data stored on the device is deleted before donating it, including removing any SIM or memory card. If personal information remains on a donated device, Vodafone will data wipe all phones and tablets; and the schools that receive laptops (through Business2Schools) will data wipe these devices. We are unable to return any SIM or memory cards sent to us; these will be responsibly recycled.

Any donated device that can’t be used (e.g. due to damage or software incompatibility) will be responsibly recycled.

[1] An SMS charge may apply depending on mobile operator and plan.

Case study quotes

Aaron, aged 15, is a Barnardo’s Young Carer and looks after his Mum. He received a smartphone via the Great British Tech Appeal in July 2020 and said: “Having the phone has helped so much. I can keep in touch with Mum when she is in hospital and I feel less alone as I can easily talk to friends and family. I can even access schoolwork on it and complete homework that is overdue.”

Cameron, aged 19, who is a Business Student at Barnardo’s Employment, Training and Skills (Yorkshire) said: “Having the phone was a big benefit, I am now able to participate in online lessons and I found a job with a week or two of getting the phone.” He adds, “I was able to connect with people again, talk to family and friends – it really helped me.”

Further case study quotes can be found here.

About Global’s Make Some Noise

Global’s Make Some Noise is a national charity which improves the lives of disadvantaged people by working with small charities across the UK. Global has brought together its radio brands Heart, Capital, LBC, Classic FM, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold and extensive Outdoor advertising portfolio to help raise awareness and funds to address some of the biggest issues affecting society. Global’s Make Some Noise is an appeal operated by Global Charities, a registered charity in England and Wales (1091657) and Scotland (SC041475). More information is available at makesomenoise.com.

About Global

Global is one of the world’s leading Media & Entertainment groups.

Europe’s largest radio company, Global is home to respected, national market leading media brands broadcasting across the UK on DAB & FM and around the world on Global Player, including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, LBC News, Global’s Newsroom, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold.  Global Player allows listeners to enjoy all of Global’s radio brands, award-winning podcasts, and expertly curated playlists, in one place in app, on web and on smart speakers.

Global is also one of the leading Outdoor companies in both the UK & Europe, with over 235,000 sites reaching 95% of the UK population. Global’s extensive and diverse outdoor portfolio encompasses Transport for London’s Underground network, almost all major UK airports including Gatwick, the UK’s largest portfolio of roadside posters and premium digital screens in prime locations, as well as the UK’s largest network of buses including all major cities.

On-air, on Global Player and with our outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week, including 25 million on the radio alone.

Global created and operates DAX (Digital Ad Exchange), the market leader in digital audio advertising and a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising.