Vodafone UK: Social Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion Award winner

At a Glance:
Who: Vodafone UK
What: everyone.connected initiative
Where: Across the UK
When: Ongoing
Why: To bridge the digital divide and promote inclusivity through connectivity, devices and digital literacy skills 

The Challenge:  

In a society increasingly reliant on digital technologies, millions of individuals face the daunting prospect of being digitally excluded. 

Approximately 9 million individuals in the UK, constituting 16% of adults, face challenges in independently using the internet and related devices, highlighting the prevalence of digital exclusion. Vodafone recognised the urgent need to address this issue, ensuring that everyone has equitable access to the opportunities afforded by connectivity. 

The Solution:   

Vodafone’s everyone.connected initiative represents a holistic and multifaceted approach to tackling the digital divide. By forging strategic partnerships with charitable organisations, stakeholders and community groups, Vodafone has developed a comprehensive strategy encompassing connectivity donations, affordable tariffs and community upskilling programs. This concerted effort aims to address various dimensions of digital exclusion, from providing access to devices and connectivity to imparting essential digital literacy and online safety skills. 

How it works:   

The everyone.connected initiative operates through three core pillars, each addressing critical aspects of the digital divide. In the first pillar, Vodafone donates free mobile connectivity to grassroots charities and partners with organisations such as the Trussell Trust and Good Things Foundation to distribute devices and connectivity to those in need. Moreover, Vodafone has recognised broader social issues like the cost-of-living crisis and increased data allowances to meet the evolving needs of recipients. 

Additionally, Vodafone has introduced social mobile and broadband tariffs tailored for individuals receiving Government benefits, ensuring that affordability is not a barrier to access. Beyond the initial donation period, ongoing support is provided to users, empowering them to stay connected affordably. 

Furthermore, collaborating with partners like NSPCC, Hi Digital and business.connected, Vodafone delivers tailored training programs to enhance digital literacy, online safety and business skills. These initiatives aim to empower individuals and communities to fully harness the potential of connectivity for personal and economic development. 

The results:   

Vodafone’s everyone.connected initiative has yielded tangible and far-reaching impacts. It has reached nearly 2 million individuals and businesses, with a commitment to reach 4 million by 2025. The initiative has also generated more than £146m in social value.  

Furthermore, it has provided substantial savings to customers through affordable tariffs, ensuring that connectivity remains accessible to all. Additionally, the initiative has delivered extensive skills training to small businesses, empowering them to thrive in the digital economy. 

The Judges said:  

“Vodafone’s everyone.connected programme tackles the immediate cost of living challenge and demonstrates a lasting and scalable social impact. We were impressed by the comprehensive approach to empowering social mobility directly with communities and businesses that leveraged their scale and reach to impact nearly 2 million people. An impressive success story indeed!”