We work closely with the public sector and third-sector
organisations to provide a range of initiatives that
support our customers’ communities.
Partnerships with public sector organisations
Our long-standing partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has resulted in many initiatives designed to help tackle digital exclusion across the region.
Greater Manchester was also where we launched our Connect More digital skills programme which has since grown to seven other locations across the UK.
The programme is delivered by our staff volunteers who share their time to provide digital skills training to those in need.
Learn more about digital skills training
“We want our people to be empowered by the opportunity digital brings, whatever their age, location or situation. Social value commitments such as those made by Virgin Media O2 Business are integral to helping us achieve the ambitions set in our Digital Blueprint.”
Councillor Andrew Western
GMCA Lead for Digital, Work and Skill
Free mobile data for those in need
In 2021, Virgin Media O2 launched the National Databank with leading digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation.
Like a foodbank but for mobile data, texts and calls, it provides free mobile SIM cards to help digitally excluded people get connected.
We work with our customers to support the growth of the National Databank in local areas. For example, all local libraries in Lancashire are now databank hubs, which enabled the county council to distribute more than 1,200 free SIM cards to the community in 2023.
Job opportunities for young people
Virgin Media O2’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme offers the chance to train, retrain or upskill, regardless of age, experience or background.
It has supported more than 2,500 apprentices since 2008, helping to drive social mobility and create a more inclusive economy.
As a levy-paying employer, we work with our customers to identify local organisations, including charities and small or medium enterprises, that are looking to invest in training opportunities for employees. We then provide funding to support these apprenticeships, including:
Eight vital nursing apprenticeships in Kent and Oxfordshire through Health Education England
Upskilling four local health and social care workers at a Lancashire-based care provider
Spending time helping local communities
All our employees get five days of paid volunteering leave each year to assist with worthy community causes. With the help of our customers, we identify initiatives where we can have the biggest impact, such as:
Helping young children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Rochdale improve their literacy skills in partnership with Chapter One
“Reading with Arham has been an incredible experience since I’ve been able to watch his reading and confidence grow throughout our sessions. It’s the highlight of my week!”
Freya Basey
Social Value Consultant at Virgin Media O2 Business
Connectivity for third sector organisations
We help third sector and community organisations support digital inclusion in their communities
by providing them with free connectivity so they can redirect funds to where they’re needed most.
Here are a few of the initiatives we support:
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the UK’s first tenant and employee co-owned mutual housing society
17 voluntary, community and social enterprises in Greater Manchester, as part of the UK’s largest local connectivity programme
The Valley Project in Bradford, which offers a safe space for socially isolated young people
“The internet access has enabled us to offer computer workshops and homework support sessions for the children. They’ve gained a whole host of new skills and grown in computer confidence.”
Laura Bowen
Project Coordinator at The Valley Project, Bradford
Free tech for digitally excluded people
We work closely with our customers to provide free technology to the most vulnerable people in their communities.
For example, we funded the purchase of 98 Chromebooks for asylum seekers with Lambeth Council’s Sanctuary Services in 2023. We also helped the council join the National Databank to reduce data poverty in their borough.
Free laptops and mobile phones can be a lifeline, helping people to carry out everyday tasks such as booking healthcare appointments and applying for jobs.
“Many people are now able to study from the comfort of their rooms rather than using library computers. Having laptops also means they can apply for Universal Credit and check the progress of their applications with the Home Office directly.”
Silvana Kasey
Service Quality and Improvement Manager at Lambeth Council’s Sanctuary Services
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