Good Things Foundation

Free data for staff and patients

An increasing number of people find it difficult to afford reliable internet access. If this is a challenge for you or a patient in your care, you (or your patient) may qualify for a free SIM card with a data allowance to help stay connected online.

We are able to offer this thanks to the The Good Things Foundation (GTF). The GTF is the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity. Their mission is to “help everyone become digitally equal, able and safe, so that they can be happier, healthier and better off.”

Please note that we are not currently able to provide devices, so you will need to source a smartphone or tablet with a SIM card slot in order to make use of the free data.

  • We can offer free SIM cards with data from Vodafone, O2 and Three. Each network has different offers and procedures.

    Network Data
    O2 20GB data, free calls and texts for 30 days   (can be issued for 1 – 6 months*)
    Vodafone 40GB data, free calls and texts for 30 days   (renews automatically for 6 months*)
    Three 24GB data (only), one-off provision per card*

    *New cards can be issued, on request, after the previous one has expired

    We can only supply one SIM card per person, but multiple people from one household are able to apply.

    Which SIM card people receive will be determined by need and coverage for their area.

    For each request, we will require a name for the recipient and a postcode address. (Postcode will be used to check for SIM card coverage in their area)

  • To be eligible for free data a staff member must:

    1. be over the age of 18
    2. AND be from a low-income household

     

    Furthermore, they must meet one of the following statements:

    • Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
    • AND/OR has no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home
    • AND/OR cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up

     

    We do not require proof, just a simple conversation to determine your eligibility and data needs.
    To apply for a SIM card, please email tsdft.goodthings@nhs.net, call 01803 656700, fill out this form or come and talk to a member of the library team down on the lower ground floor of the Horizon Centre.

    SIM cards can be sent to staff’s working address if you work offsite or at a community site.

  • The criteria for patients to be eligible for free data is that they must:

    • be over the age of 18
    • AND be from a low-income household

     

    Furthermore, they must meet one of the following statements:

    • Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
    • AND/OR has no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home
    • AND/OR cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up

     

    We do not require proof; you just need to have a simple conversation to determine the patient’s eligibility and data needs.

    SIM cards much be applied for by a member of staff on behalf of the patient, the patient cannot contact us directly. Please email tsdft.goodthings@nhs.net, call 01803 656700, fill out this form or come and talk to a member of the library team down on the lower ground floor of the Horizon Centre.

    Staff can either collect the SIM card from the library or we can send the SIM card to a work location, we are unable to allow patients to collect from the library or send the SIM card directly to the patient.

    Staff may need to support the patient in activating the SIM card. See below for further instructions.

  • O2

    • If the recipient has an O2 SIM card, they can use their existing SIM with the data vouchers. If they do not, they will need to be set up with one of the free O2 SIMs before the voucher can be activated
    • We can issue up to 6 vouchers (6 X 30-day vouchers) at a time for one recipient
    • A 16-digit code will be sent to the recipient on the same date each month (eg- 3rd July, 3rd August, 3rd September etc) for the duration of the vouchers gifted. Each month the recipient will need to call 4444 from their O2 SIM card and either type or read out the voucher code when prompted.
    • If you need to activate vouchers on behalf of the recipient, you can dial 08456 062 277 and type in or read out their O2 mobile number and voucher code


    Vodafone

    • A SIM card that is preloaded with 40GB data, free calls and texts that renews every 30 days for 6 months
    • Activated by inserting into the desired device
    • Recipients are only eligible for one Vodafone SIM card- if they need to renew their card, we will issue one from another provider.


    Three

    • SIM card preloaded with 24GB of data (no calls or text), no renewals and no timeline- good for tablets or devices where only data is required. Once the 24G has been used up, a new SIM card will need to be requested.
    • Activated by inserting into the desired device

  • O2 – How to keep your mobile number – Help and Support | O2

    • Request a PAC code from network by texting PAC to 65075 – or you can contact the current provider


    Vodafone     – How to keep your number when changing phone or network | Vodafone UK

    • Request a PAC code from network by texting PAC to 65075 – or contact the current provider