Stay Connected – Digital Inclusion Project 1 Identity Card
Project Name: Stay Connected aka Digital Inclusion Project 1
Project Dates: December 2021 to December 2022
Project Funded by: Hubbub and Young Manchester
Stay Connected – Digital Inclusion Project 1: Community Calling Project
Community Calling Project is a digital inclusion Initiative in partnership with Young Manchester and Hubbub for Community Calling Initiative to deliver 2,000 mobile phones across Manchester to support families to stay connected during the lockdown.
The first phase took place in 2021 to deliver the first 1000 smartphones across Manchester, with each phone distributed with a user guide, charger, and 12 months of free top-up. The top-up includes 6GB of data per month, unlimited calls, and unlimited texts.
Stay Connected – Digital Inclusion Project 1 Partnerships
As part of the scheme, GIFT in partnership with MEaP served as a local Hub across South and Central Manchester acting as a distribution for mobiles that can be allocated to young people/beneficiaries and their families. During the past 12 months, we have allocated approx. 250 phones through our consortium partners.
Stay Connected Initiative-Raspberry PI Computers
Stay Connected is an initiative by Raspberry PI to distribute Raspberry Pi computers to young people most in need of one for their schooling during the lockdown.
GIFT joined up in partnership with Young Manchester to identify the families most in need and then redistribute the computers for them.
Selection criteria for the Stay Connected to School Initiative
The Stay Connected to School programme supports those at disadvantaged at meet the following criteria:
- Age: 6-18 years
- Education: In full-time
- Device access: Lack of a suitable device for completing their schoolwork at home and the resources to acquire such a
- Internet access*: Have an internet connection at home or you can support obtain an internet connection.
Stay Connected Project outcomes
During the 12 months, GIFT with MEaP consortium partners allocated 136 computer kits to families across Manchester.
Editor’s notes
See also – Funding Digital Inclusion Project 2 for our continual digital inclusion efforts. You can also view all GIFT Academy projects here.
