People are urged to donate their unwanted smartphones to those in need

Smartphone users are being encouraged to donate their old and unwanted devices to a charity that is providing connectivity to those who need it most.

Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub have appealed for people to donate devices to Community Calling, a programme aimed at getting phones to people who need them, including victims of domestic abuse, refugees and disadvantaged communities.

A new study by both companies found that 44% of people wrongly believe that charities do not accept smartphones.

Previous research by Virgin Media O2 estimated that there are as many as 15 million unwanted and unused devices in homes across the UK.

The Community Calling program was created in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide smartphones to those who could not afford the devices or an internet connection.

The organisation wants to donate 20,000 devices to people in need across the country, and free mobile data will be provided by the National Database, set up by Virgin Media O2 and the Good Things Foundation.

Numerous reports suggest that some people are at risk of being isolated from society because they lack the tools necessary to use the internet in an increasingly digital world.

Dana Haidan, director of sustainability at Virgin Media O2, said: “We know that people across the UK want to do more to help communities in need, and with millions of unused phones hidden away in drawers and garages, they have the power to change lives by donating their devices to to Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub’s Community Calling program.

“The quick and simple act of handing over your phone will help people in need access the internet and basic services such as making a doctor’s appointment, applying for a job or training, and staying in touch with loved ones.”

Hubbub chief executive Alex Robinson said: “Four years after Covid-19 hit, digital exclusion remains a significant issue for hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.

“That’s why we’re excited to celebrate reaching the milestone of donating 20,000 used devices and free data to Community Calling.

“We have made donating a device to Community Calling easy and simple to encourage even more businesses and individuals to donate their old devices to support those at risk of digital exclusion.”