This is a strong example of digital inclusion tied directly to income, access and dignity. By supporting hundreds of people with devices, connectivity and cashless payments, the partnership is already creating measurable impact for people facing severe exclusion. 

Big Issue and giffgaff are addressing digital exclusion as a poverty trap. In the UK today, you cannot apply for jobs, manage benefits, access healthcare or take payments without a smartphone, yet many people facing homelessness or severe poverty do not have one. At the start of the partnership, 55% of Big Issue vendors did not own a smartphone and 70% could not accept cashless payments. The partnership responds by providing refurbished phones, connectivity, cashless tools and one-to-one support. The impact is already strong. In its first year, 687 smartphones were distributed and 832 people were supported through 2,951 financial and digital inclusion interventions. 291 vendors were enabled to take cashless payments, increasing sales by an average of five magazines a week, worth more than £500 a year in protected income. 24% of Big Issue Recruit candidates who received a phone secured employment, above the programme’s usual 21% placement rate. Independent evaluation found it generated £453,000 in social value, or £3.60 for every £1 invested.

Vote now for this finalist to win the Tech4Good People’s Award and register to join the online ceremony on Friday 3 July to see if they win!