People given free sim cards to address digital divide

Daniel Gale helps to distribute the sim cards to those who need them

Almost 10,000 people in need have been given a free sim card so they can access vital online services.

Gloucestershire's Rural Community Council (GRCC) said it plans to give out another 10,000, if it can get the funding.

The aim is to address the digital divide and enable people to make calls, texts and use data without charge and in turn book doctors appointments or pay their bills.

Chief executive of GRCC, Barbara Piranty, said: "This is about providing a level playing field for people.

"For me it's about sustainability, so it's about making sure that we're not just providing a sticking plaster for people."

Trevor Barnett and his daughter Anneré have benefitted from the scheme

Trevor Barnett, from Tewkesbury, was one of the people given a sim card, which have six months of data, calls and texts.

It comes after he was in hospital in January and evicted from his house at the same time.

He was moved into emergency accommodation but racking up phone bills he could not afford.

"Once I came out of hospital there was no internet that I could link up to, I just had to use mobile data," said Mr Barnett.

It also means his daughter, Anneré, 15, can have access to it when she sees him.

"She explores so many things like BBC websites, and her other interests are ships and trains to the nth degree," Mr Barnett said.

'Digital by default'

GRCC's digital inclusion manager, Daniel Gale, said they have been distributing the sim cards to make sure everybody gets the benefits of digital.

"It has had a tremendous positive impact enabling individuals to get the most out of society as we move to a digital by default approach," he said.

GRCC is being helped by a number of partners including charities and housing associations to identify who would benefit from the sim cards.