Refugee digital exclusion
Despite being the world’s 6th largest economy (by GDP), British society is deeply unequal. This inequality has widened over the past few years, in part due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic response.
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As highlighted by the pandemic, an increasingly central requirement to participating in modern life is the ability to get online. However, this is not universally the case.
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As the Good Things Foundation have highlighted, 10 million people across the UK lack basic digital skills. 1.5 million households have no internet access. 2 million struggle to afford the internet they have.
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But digital inclusion is vital in a modern world. Research shows that having internet access improves health, happiness, and can uplift a household's income. It saves time completing fundamental tasks (including accessing healthcare information, banking, and job searches), and provides a lifeline to those isolated from their friends and family.
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Digital exclusion is experienced widely and disproportionately by refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. It remains a major challenge as they seek to rebuild their lives, stay in touch with family and friends, and get on in the UK.
People seeking asylum are provided with only £5.80 a day, and are dispersed around the country away from existing support networks. They are not allowed to work, which promotes boredom, loss of self worth, and exacerbates mental health issues. The provision of a device can be a lifeline in these circumstances, providing a chance for connection, meaning (for example, through enabling access to language learning and other training), and helping them get back on their feet when they are granted status.
Screen Share UK was founded to address a significant gap in support provision within the refugee support sector in the UK. We provide a specialist, environmentally-friendly solution at no cost to the recipient or partner organisation. It is widely understood that digital inclusion underlies a lot of other problems refugees experience as they build their new lives. We see the provision of a device as the starting - not the finishing point - of refugee support. We are proud of be doing this work, gifting great devices to people so that they can reach their potential and live happier lives.
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Digital exclusion
Many refugees in the UK do not have access to a laptop, their own phone, or the internet.
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How we do it?
We collect your laptop, wipe it if necessary, and pass it to a refugee charity. The charity then passes it on to someone in need
Impact of exclusion
Without technology, refugees are prevented from accessing education, training, language classes and social connections.
Who are we?
Screen Share is entirely volunteer run and relies on donations to keep growing and getting great quality laptops in new hands.
What we do?
Screen Share provides laptops to refugees and asylum seekers around the UK to help them access vital services.
How can you help?
Donate your device, give some cash, or volunteer!
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All info is on this website. Check it out!