Leeds Refugee Forum Empowered with Game-Changing Ultrafast Broadband

• Leeds Refugee forum provides support to asylum seekers and refugees in the local area
• Services will be used to support local community with education sessions like exam support and learning English
• Virgin Media O2 aims to equip 6 million people with tools and skills to feel connected as part of its Better Connections Plan

A Boost for Leeds Refugee Forum with Free Ultrafast Broadband

Virgin Media O2 and the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation have launched a new community broadband programme providing digital inclusion hubs across the UK with free ultrafast connectivity and digital literacy programmes.

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The first hub to benefit from this initiative is Leeds Refugee Forum, located in the heart of Leeds. This hub serves as a space where refugees and asylum seekers can access support, develop new skills, and connect with others.

The free services provided by Virgin Media O2 will now be used to enhance the training sessions offered by the digital inclusion hub. These sessions will equip refugees and asylum seekers with the necessary IT skills to access support and services. Additionally, the hub will offer local individuals the opportunity to find work by providing access to job websites and guidance on creating effective CVs and submitting applications.

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Leeds Refugee Forum will also serve as an internet access hub for those who do not have broadband at home. People can drop in to check emails and access important online services.

Aside from providing support and training, Leeds Refugee Forum offers English lessons, digital literacy training, and homework clubs for children. With the newly installed ultrafast connectivity, the hub can better facilitate these educational activities and conduct online digital classes to help local children prepare for their exams.

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Virgin Media O2's provision of ultrafast connectivity to Leeds Refugee Forum marks the beginning of its Community Broadband campaign, in which the company will provide free connectivity to ten digital inclusion hubs across the UK.

Last year, Virgin Media O2 launched its Better Connections Plan, a joint sustainability strategy that aims to cut carbon, promote circularity, and connect communities. As part of this plan, the company is committed to connecting 1 million digitally excluded individuals and equipping 6 million people with the necessary skills and tools to thrive in the digital society by 2025.

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In addition to the Community Broadband initiative, Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2 launched the National Databank in July 2021. This initiative functions like a food bank but for mobile data, providing people in need with 20GB of free O2 data each month.

Nicola Green, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: "Community centres throughout the UK play a vital role in addressing digital exclusion and supporting marginalized groups. With essential services increasingly accessible online, it is crucial that everyone has the skills and confidence to access them. We are proud to contribute to the impact that Leeds Refugee Forum has in the local area and to continue transforming lives."

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Helen Milner OBE, CEO at Good Things Foundation, commented: "Leeds Refugee Forum provides essential support for refugees and asylum seekers in the local area. We understand that without internet access, it becomes much more challenging for these individuals to find the help they need. Partnering with Virgin Media O2 to provide free broadband to our National Digital Inclusion Network is a fantastic initiative that allows us to further support those who need it the most. The National Databank has already provided free mobile data, and now we can expand this support to even more people through free broadband."

Ali Mahgoub, Chief Executive at Leeds Refugee Forum, expressed: "LRF stands to gain significant advantages from this free broadband connection, as many of our service users rely on the hub for essential digital and online services. The current broadband services sometimes get overwhelmed due to high user volume, resulting in reduced accessibility to online platforms. Thanks to Virgin Media O2, we can address this issue by installing ultrafast broadband, vastly improving service quality, and enhancing access to educational courses, job search websites, and other vital resources for our communities."

Councilor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council executive member for communities, added: "Leeds City Council is delighted that Leeds Refugee Forum is benefiting from free high-speed connectivity through the Community Broadband programme. Our 100% Digital Leeds team has established relationships with Good Things Foundation and Leeds Refugee Forum for various digital inclusion activities. We have witnessed the positive impact of digital inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers who benefit from the services provided by Leeds Refugee Forum. This partnership will further amplify that impact, and we look forward to continued collaboration with Leeds Refugee Forum in the future."