End Digital Poverty Day 2025

Today marks End Digital Poverty Day, dedicated to raising awareness and driving action to close the digital divide.

At Community TechAid, we meet people everyday who are experiencing barriers due to digital isolation. From accessing government services to talking with loved ones, being online is an essential part of many of our daily lives. Yet for thousands across the UK this remains an impossibility, due to digital exclusion.

Thanks to our incredible community of volunteers, partners and beneficiaries, we have been able to support close to 2000 people over the past year with the tools, skills and opportunity to engage in the online world.

To mark this End Digital Poverty Day, we want to highlight a couple of those stories:

A parent and child from Maytree with their new laptop

Meet Maytree Children’s Centre, a nursery and children’s centre in south London dedicated to giving families with young children the very best start in life. From breastfeeding classes to mental health support, Maytree is a lifeline for many parents and carers who are working hard to create a brighter future for their children.

One of those parents is Anika*. A single mum of three, Anika is determined to find education and employment opportunities so that she can begin work and support her family. But like so many families across the UK, Anika faced a major hurdle, she didn’t have a device at home.

This digital gap made life incredibly difficult. Simple tasks, like filling out forms, checking emails, keeping up with appointments, or helping her children with schoolwork, became stressful and time-consuming.

Thanks to a recent device donation, everything has changed for Anika and her children. She can now search and apply for courses, explore job opportunities, and manage her day-to-day tasks with ease. Her children can learn and play online, and the whole family feels more connected.

Anika told us that this donation has made life so much easier and has significantly improved her wellbeing. She feels excited about what comes next, and is eager to keep learning and improving her digital skills.

JC with their new laptop

Take JC’s story. Supported by South London & Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM), JC experienced severe depression after losing his job and was without a laptop for over a year. His recovery was limited to in-person sessions and printed resources, leaving him cut off from online courses, peer support, and opportunities to rebuild his confidence.

With a donated laptop, JC’s journey has taken a new turn. He now follows structured online programmes, researches mental health strategies, and connects with peer support groups. Importantly, he has begun volunteering and is already applying for jobs, building on his new skills and experience. Having his own device means he can progress at his own pace while accessing tools and networks that bring him closer to re-entering employment.

JC’s experience reflects a much wider issue. According to Good Things Foundation’s Digital Nation UK, 1 in 5 adults cannot complete essential digital tasks for work. This not only holds individuals back but also restricts the UK’s economic growth. A PwC report estimates that closing the digital divide could generate an additional £21.1–£30.8 billion in annual Gross Value Added (GVA) through improved productivity and employment.

This is why ending digital poverty matters. When families and individuals have the tools they need, they gain more than just access, they gain confidence, independence, and the ability to thrive.

This End Digital Poverty Day, we invite you to help us ensure that every family has the devices, connectivity, and skills they need to participate fully in society.

From donating devices, to fundraising, every bit of support we receive contributes directly to helping end digital poverty in our community.