Salford City Council is helping to keep residents connected online this Christmas. It is working with the National Databank which is like a foodbank but for free mobile data, texts and calls to people in data poverty.

Founded by Virgin Media 02 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, it’s a response to the importance of having sufficient data.

Without this, people may be cut off from basic daily activities most of us take for granted such as job interviews, contacting loved ones and essential public services including healthcare.

To be eligible for free data from the National Databank, you must be:

• aged 18 or over
• from a low-income household

or meet one or more of these categories:

• not have access or insufficient access to the internet at home
  and/or
• no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home
  and/or
• can’t afford your existing monthly contract or top up

If you would like to benefit from this support (or know somebody else who would), just call into your local Gateway centre/Hub and ask at reception to get this support.  Located across Salford in Broughton, Walkden, Swinton, Eccles and Pendleton the Gateways are open late every weekday – Monday to Thursday 8am to 10pm, Friday 8am to 6.30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

The Gateways are the ideal place to find out about other help and support you may be entitled to.

https://digitalinclusion.salford.gov.uk/funding-gifts-sponsors-and-deals/for-individuals/national-databank/