A NORTH-EAST housing association is helping its tenants access free data and stay connected this Christmas.

North Star Housing, which has homes across Tees Valley, North Yorkshire and County Durham, will be making sim cards with free data available to approximately 50 tenants over the festive period. This is thanks to a scheme run by The Good Things Foundation, a charity tackling inequality by providing digital skills and access to people at risk of becoming digitally excluded .

Sean Lawless, Head of Digital for North Star, said: “The National Databank is a fantastic scheme from The Good Things Foundation which means some of our tenants will be able to access a free mobile data connection for up to six months.

“Our staff have strong relationships with our tenants and already have been able to identify people who will benefit from access to free mobile data.”

The Good Things Foundation partners with Virgin Media, O2, Vodafone and Three to provide people with free data, in a bid to fix the ‘digital divide’ – the unequal access to technology.

“So much of our lives is dependent on the internet now,” said Sean. “The pandemic showed easily people can become excluded without access to the internet. It can be key to maintaining good health and wellbeing. Many people now access GP services online, or use it to connect with friends and family, which is vital for preventing loneliness and maintaining good mental health”.

Adam Clark, Executive Director of Customers said: “We’re very pleased to get access to this valuable resource and enable some of our tenants to benefit from free internet access. At a time when many people are feeling the full effect of financial pressures, internet access could be an easy expense to switch off.

“But what’s clear is that access to online services has never been more essential. From participating in interviews, completing school work, undertaking medical appointments to claiming benefits, so many essential services are online.

“This scheme will go some way to alleviating some of the inequalities we see and hear about in communities”.