Visit: Virgin Money (National Databank)
/On Friday (27th January), I was delighted to meet with members of Virgin Money and discuss their plans to eradicate digital poverty through their partnership with the Good Things Foundation.
It was great to hear from Vicky, Colin, Julie and Grace about the plans that are in place through the National Databank to try and help those in data poverty. Kilmarnock’s Virgin Money store is one of 16 across the UK distributing free O2 sim cards to those who need them.
For those struggling, anyone over the age of 18 can drop into the store at the Foregate and approach them for six months of free data. We all know how important the internet and connectivity are in this day and age - everything is online. Be it banking, working, applying for jobs, general information and other day-to-day life tasks.
We have to raise awareness and get this information out there. I am well aware of the irony of promoting this on social media etc. when we are trying to get this information out to digitally excluded constituents, but it is important we promote it and hope word of mouth gets it to those who need it.
My office will start referring constituents and we will also distribute the information to the local authority and community councils.
Picture L - R: Grace Smith (Public Affairs Analyst), Vicky Stephen (Customer Financial Wellbeing Manager), Alan Brown MP, Julie Goodwin (Store Manager), Colin Patterson (Cluster Manager).
