Gift old smartphones with Community Calling to tackle digital exclusion There are over 1.5 million homes in the UK that still don’t have access to the internet (Ofcom). Meanwhile, for every phone in use, four sit unused. Your business could change Hubbub is running Community Calling to encourage old, workable smartphones to be gifted to vulnerable and socially isolated people. Gifted smartphones are data-wiped and passed on to those in need. We work with local Councils and community groups to identify those who are in need of a device and offer them accompanying digital skills training. As of 2024, we’ve shared 20,000 smartphones thanks to donations from businesses and the public. But with millions of people still without access to a device, we need more businesses to support the scheme.
There are three ways businesses can get involved: 1) Gift redundant business smartphones
If you have several business-owned devices and chargers that aren’t being used and you would like to gift them, we can arrange a courier to come and collect them. Please follow the pre-sending checklist for businesses and email us at communitycalling@hubbub.org.uk to arrange a courier collection.
2) Provide a financial donation
If you want to support the campaign but don’t have any old smartphones, some businesses opt to make financial contributions instead. These contributions go directly towards bulk-purchasing deadstock smartphones. We then cover the data-wiping fee out of our project funding. Please email communitycalling@hubbub.org.uk to find out more.
3) Encourage employees to donate their old smartphones Together we have gifted...
By asking employees to donate their old smartphones, businesses will be actively supporting the digitally excluded. Ask employees to visit this page to gift their phone. We can offer data on how many smartphone donations your business generates.