Community Calling is a national scheme created by the environmental charity Hubbub and Virgin Media O2. Hubbub works with community organisations and local councils to give unwanted smartphones to people who need them, along with up to 12 months’ free mobile data, minutes, and texts via the National Databank to help recipients get online.
100% Digital Leeds worked with Hubbub on the first Community Calling scheme in 2021. More recently, Hubbub have focused on working with a smaller number of national charities. In 2025, Hubbub wanted to extend their reach to more groups at a local level, and once again they chose to work with 100% Digital Leeds.
Coordinating the offer across Leeds
100% Digital Leeds worked with Hubbub to manage and coordinate the distribution of over 1,000 smartphones to some of 100% Digital Leeds’s delivery partners. 11 community organisations each distributed 50+ phones to their most digitally excluded service users, and they received their deliveries directly from Hubbub. For organisations that wanted to take and distribute a smaller number of phones, 100% Digital Leeds agreed a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model with Hubbub. In this model, 100% Digital Leeds took delivery of 200 phones and delivered them in smaller quantities to 15 community organisations.
We also worked with colleagues in the library service to ensure that some Libraries and Community Hubs could take part in the scheme. The library service received over 150 phones and distributed them through the Jobshops in six Community Hubs and Libraries.
The aim of the Community Calling project was not to distribute smartphones indiscriminately. 100% Digital Leeds wanted to make sure the smartphones would be given to people who needed them, via VCSE organisations that were already working with those people, who knew their individual circumstances, and could offer wider support alongside the gifting of the phone.
Measuring impact
The case studies and testimonials below were collected by 100% Digital Leeds as part of the Community Calling project. They illustrate the breadth and depth of the impact that increasing digital inclusion has on people who are facing multiple challenges in their lives. The case studies and testimonials from some of the organisations that took part in the Community Calling scheme demonstrate the different ways in which digital inclusion is an enabler to achieving wider personal and societal outcomes.
Building from this initial impact, 100% Digital Leeds is working to secure a more sustainable solution to accessing smartphones that will enable each organisation to embed smartphone gifting into their permanent practice.
All Community Connect
All Community Connect is a Community Interest Company established in 2022 and based in Richmond Hill. They provide a foodbank and warm space, and regular community sessions. Across their two centres they support around 150 people each month.
After support from 100% Digital Leeds, digital inclusion support is now a routine part of All Community Connect’s work, with individuals regularly being supported to access emails, complete online forms, book appointments, and use smartphones confidently. By embedding digital support, including smartphone gifting, into their existing activities, the organisation has already seen improvements in confidence and independence. People who previously relied entirely on staff now attempt tasks themselves, ask more specific questions, and engage more fully in other programmes such as arts and crafts and healthy living sessions.
“An individual who regularly attends our sessions did not have access to a working smartphone and relied on staff to manage appointments and benefit updates. Since receiving a phone, they have been able to book GP appointments, access their Universal Credit account, and stay in contact with family independently. This has reduced their reliance on staff and increased their confidence in managing everyday tasks. The beneficiary said “Having my own phone means I don’t have to wait for someone to help me. I can sort things out myself and feel more in control.””
Smartphone beneficiary at All Community Connect
“An older woman who regularly attends our arts and crafts sessions every Wednesday enjoys being creative but often struggles with boredom at home outside these sessions. She wanted to learn new art styles and try more modern, creative ideas, especially to make meaningful Christmas gifts for her grandchildren that they would actually enjoy and use. With access to a smartphone and digital support, she has been able to explore new art trends online, watch tutorials, and get inspiration for creative projects. This has helped her stay mentally active, reduce boredom, and feel more confident creating personalised gifts for her grandchildren.”
Smartphone beneficiary at All Community Connect
Asha Neighbourhood Project
Asha Neighbourhood Project is a charity established in 1985 in Beeston. The organisation aims to improve the lives of women and children living in South Leeds. They support their service users to access services in order for them to live a healthier, happier and more productive life. Asha work to advance education, employment and health. This involves tackling barriers to progression, underachievement and the effects of discrimination and poverty. They do this using a holistic, person-centred approach that brings lots of services together in one inclusive, safe and welcoming setting.
Asha’s IT classes offer support with CV writing, job searches, completing application forms, and researching education and career pathways. Asha were able to provide phones to disabled people and their carers to give them independence, manage their health, find better social connection, and get increased access to essential services and opportunities. Access to technology allowed the beneficiaries to perform daily tasks like online shopping, banking, and managing appointments, reducing their reliance on services, family and friends. They can now access online health information, book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and use apps to manage long-term conditions. It has also helped them to engage with remote consultations, saving on travel time and costs. Carers said the mobiles helped them find general information related to health conditions, access peer WhatsApp support group, and manage tasks like ordering medication, arranging deliveries, and research local services online. Carers report this has helped them feel more informed, saved significant time, and helped them to feel less stressed.
“FB arrived in the UK from Europe few years ago. Recent domestic events led to a breakup in the home, which meant FB became a single mum. Her mobile was old and she couldn’t afford to upgrade, so she struggled going online. We gave her support through the Household Support Fund and a mobile through Community Calling. After gifting FB with a smartphone we were able to support her to apply for everything to be in her name, which covered council tax, benefits, utilities, and transferring the joint tenancy to a sole tenancy. She was also supported to access domestic violence support services. After years of struggling, FB found employment with Leeds City Council as a cleaner. Having a better mobile helped her go online to apply for jobs and register with employment agencies, which would otherwise be inaccessible to her due to poverty.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Asha Neighbourhood Project
AVSED
AVSED is a charity working with older people in the Aireborough area. They work to prevent social isolation and loneliness by supporting happy, healthy and independent living. Many of their members don’t have family nearby so are very isolated.
AVSED have a Digital Befriender who runs a weekly Digital Cafe, as well as visiting members in their home. Through these services members can access support with how to get the most out of their digital device. This includes support with setting up devices, using digital tools to manage health and wellbeing, accessing digital services such as applying for blue badges, and staying in touch with family and friends using digital tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp. AVSED report that gifting smartphones has allowed the organisation to better stay in touch with members, and has supported more members to develop digital skills and confidence.
“AM came to AVSED once or twice a week for support with various elements of life. We offered them a phone to enable them to participate in our digital befriending. They were reluctant at first due to costs, but the chance to try it for free has enlightened them to the possibilities of using digital. They had four sessions with a digital helper to learn how to use the phone. They set up an email and Facebook account, learnt to use Google and find things online, and a session on health and how to book an appointment online with the GP. I have just checked in with them after the break and they told me, ‘It’s great! My sister called me on Boxing Day. I don’t usually speak to anyone!'”
Smartphone beneficiary at AVSED
Carers Leeds
Carers Leeds is an independent charity working city-wide, offering specialist and tailored support, advice, and information to unpaid carers over the age of 16.
The organisation’s digital inclusion aims are to reduce social isolation and loneliness by ensuring all carers can confidently access online resources essential to their caring role and their own wellbeing. Unpaid caring and digital exclusion are both risk factors for loneliness and isolation, so it is important to Carers Leeds that their service users are supported to engage with online activities, support groups, and online services, to prevent poor outcomes and increased isolation from society. Carers Leeds have a Digital Inclusion Coordinator working to integrate digital inclusion support throughout their organisation to ensure staff are confident in having positive conversations about going online, can identify carers with digital inclusion needs, and can support those needs. Gifting smartphones has meant Carers Leeds are more easily able to stay in touch with carers, and carers can be signposted to other organisations who can support them.
“J, aged 54, was relying on a very basic mobile phone and had no internet access at home, which created significant barriers when trying to split a joint Universal Credit claim into a single claim after a bereavement. Being provided with a smartphone has been life changing. It has enabled him to independently access his Universal Credit account, check his journal, and attend appointments, helping to reinstate his claim after several months of little or no income. Following the bereavement, J has also struggled with his mental health, and having the phone has meant he can contact his GP, access mental health support, and stay connected with friends, reducing his isolation and increasing his confidence, independence, and overall wellbeing.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Carers Leeds
Forward Leeds
Forward Leeds offer free confidential alcohol and drug support for people in Leeds. Support includes one-to-one support with a dedicated worker, structured group sessions covering a range of supportive topics, and support for family members and loved ones. Forward Leeds’s Individual Placement and Support Team supports clients who are ready to find paid employment.
Forward Leeds report that gifting smartphones means it is easier for the organisation to stay in touch with service users, and they see improved outcomes as service users experience fewer barriers to accessing support.
“A female service user, aged between 25 and 35, was prohibited from having her own phone by her domestic abuse perpetrator. This created a huge barrier to any engagement with support services. We provided her with a phone to contact Domestic Violence services, police, Forward Leeds, and her family who are also living outside of Leeds. Engagement and access to support has improved substantially and the service user is now able to contact her workers and any relevant services, including emergency services if in need.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Forward Leeds
“A female service user, aged between 30 and 40, needed a smartphone for video call contact with her children who are both in local authority care and live outside of Leeds. Not having a phone with this facility was massively affecting her and her children’s mental health. The phone also makes it much easier to engage with Forward Leeds and other services.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Forward Leeds
“A service user was given a phone after realising their current phone was not accepting incoming calls and they were missing out on job opportunities. Now the individual has a working phone, they can update their contacts and CV with their new number and can accept calls from prospective employers. This has enhanced their engagement and motivation to find opportunities for work to improve their outcomes and reduce their substance misuse.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Forward Leeds
Give a Gift
Give A Gift is a grassroots charity that aims to provide the support needed to relieve need among refugees, asylum seekers, the destitute, BAME and other disadvantaged communities.
For Give a Gift, gifting smartphones has helped staff to communicate more reliably with service users, resulting in fewer missed appointments and more consistent engagement. Improved digital access has allowed the organisation to run their training programmes more effectively and reach individuals who previously struggled to participate. They spend less time on repeated outreach attempts, freeing staff capacity and allowing teams to focus on delivering higher-quality support. Access to smartphones has enabled smoother coordination, quicker updates, and improved data sharing where appropriate.
“One client is a failed asylum seeker and has been living in the UK for over 20 years. His case is being reviewed by PAFRAS. The elderly client currently has a small old phone which is not a smartphone. He is living in a house with a family who have taken pity on him. His wife and children live in India, and he has very little contact with them. On occasion he is allowed to use one of the smartphones from one of the members of the family to WhatsApp video call his family. When he was given the smart phone, he was very emotional and was so grateful for the help. This lifted his spirits and we saw a smile on his face. He is now teaching himself to use the different features on the phone. We have offered him some support to assist.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Give a Gift
“A domestic violence client fled from an abusive marriage from Birmingham to Leeds. She was rescued by her sister who is married with family in Leeds. She literally came with nothing and was kept like a prisoner in her marital home, looking after her in-laws and her husband and not being able to leave the house. She was desperate to have contact with her mum and dad in Pakistan. The phone was a lifeline for her to finally have some contact with her parents as she had not been allowed to communicate with them. Her mental health was very low and she had to start to build her life. We managed to get her DV concession for three months which allowed her to have access to public benefits and we eventually found a women’s refuge in Bradford who would help and support her to become independent.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Give a Gift
Hamwattan Centre
Hamwattan Centre is a registered charity based in Harehills. They are dedicated to providing support to the elderly community in Leeds, and their service users are primarily of Pakistani and Kashmiri origin. They aim to enable older people to live independently and pro-actively participate within their own communities by providing services which reduce social isolation, relieve financial hardship, and improve health and wellbeing.
Gifting smartphones has had a massive impact on the organisation, increasing their capacity to help service users with their learning in weekly digital skills sessions. They have been able to give the smartphones to people who need them most, and use digital skills sessions as a space for beneficiaries to learn how to use their new smartphones. Hamwattan have used the smartphones to support service users to register for the NHS app and request or manage prescriptions, use Google Translate, and to find trustworthy information online. All of these things benefit the service users in terms of empowering them to take control of their own health and wellbeing, and in turn support Hamwattan by reducing the level of one-to-one support required for basic digital tasks.
“A, aged 72, has been attending our digital skills sessions for some time and has been learning how to use a tablet to increase his digital literacy and make it easier for him to access services and gain independence. He previously had a basic phone which he used only to make phone calls. However, since receiving a smartphone he has been able to learn how to use various apps, including Google Translate, YouTube, and access a number of online services. This has greatly improved his confidence and sense of independence as he is increasingly able to navigate the online world through his smartphone and can now do much more than simply make phone calls.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Hamwattan
Holbeck Together
Holbeck Together is a charity based in Holbeck, providing services to the local community, supporting people to stay socially and physically active, empowering them to make more informed choices and live longer. Holbeck is one of the 0.2% poorest areas in England and is challenged by deprivations in income, employment, education, health, housing, environment, and high crime rates. Holbeck Together provide lunch clubs, walking groups, bingo, friendship groups, parent and baby groups, as well as out-of-hours meal services, a community café, charity shop, food bank, and social supermarket.
Holbeck Together’s digital skills support service includes a range of group and one-to-one sessions at St Matthews Community Centre, and digital skills support in the wider community of Holbeck. Being part of the Community Calling project has allowed Holbeck Together to gift smartphones to vulnerable service users who would otherwise have been unable to afford a digital device.
“S was fleeing domestic abuse and was relocated to Leeds. Her old phone had been destroyed by her partner, and she arrived with no means to communicate with anyone and unable to access any services. She came to the digital hub at Holbeck Together and we were able to gift her with a device and also provide credit and data for her to use. She has now been able to register and bid with Housing and get into contact with other services who can support her. It has also allowed her to contact family members who she had been separated from. This has had a huge positive impact on her wellbeing and has greatly improved her living situation.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Holbeck Together
“E was referred to the digital hub via their support worker as their phone had broken. She had children with complex needs, no money, and no way to contact anybody. With the phone that we gave her she was able to resolve her current situation and get the help she required. She could not afford to replace the broken device and was very happy to get support from us.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Holbeck Together
Joanna Project
Joanna Project is a small charity working with the most vulnerable women in society, often experiencing street homelessness, addiction, mental health, domestic abuse, discrimination, exploitation and isolation. The women they support have chaotic lifestyles and struggle to maintain engagement with services where they have no fixed abode or means of contact with support workers.
Gifting smartphones has helped Joanna Project to maintain contact with service users and ensure continued engagement with available support. This has meant some of the organisation’s most vulnerable service users have been able to access emergency accommodation from the local authority and continue engaging with services and support workers.
“E, aged 25 to 34, is a young female street homeless sex worker with substance addiction and mental health issues. She has been attending Joanna House for support to combat addiction, move away from street sex work, engage with healthcare services and access facilities. She had no phone and family or friend support networks. She is regularly a victim of domestic abuse and crimes as she is extremely vulnerable. She was unable to make and maintain contact with services for interventions due to her chaotic lifestyle, having no fixed abode, and no phone. Since receiving the smart phone and SIM card, she has maintained contact with services, managed to secure emergency accommodation through the council, and is engaging with organisations to access support for substance misuse. She was also attacked whilst working and was able to contact the police. She now has means to contact emergency services or support workers if she needs help, support or advice.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Joanna Project
St George’s Crypt
St George’s Crypt is a 95-year-old charity based in Leeds, working with the homeless, the vulnerable and those living with addiction. The organisation offers immediate practical support in terms of getting fed, cleaned up and clothed. They provide beds via their residential projects and emergency bedrooms, support and counselling, and opportunities to gain skills, self-confidence and a sense of achievement.
St George’s Crypt are still at the start of their digital inclusion journey. Staff have said that seeing the empowerment of the service users to independently re-connect with family and friends after being gifted a smartphone has been very motivating for them, especially around Christmas time. It has given the recipients, and in turn the staff, a real morale boost.
“J, aged 44, resides at our residential temporary accommodation. He has been in and out of temporary accommodation and rough sleeping for years but has taken a step towards more independent living at our temporary accommodation in Chapel Allerton. The phone means he can research subjects he is passionate about such as history. He has been able to contact family members and professionals in his life without relying on our office phone. He can also log into his email and see when his PES vouchers from Universal Credit come in.”
Smartphone beneficiary at St George’s Crypt
“Another service user had no device or money when entering our residential rehabilitation programme. Since receiving the phone, they have been Facetiming their daughter and using the internet in their spare time. They have joined our Growing Rooms WhatsApp group, enabling them to feel more connected to their recovery process. Having a smartphone has improved their connection to both their recovery family and their immediate family.”
Smartphone beneficiary at St George’s Crypt
Unity Housing
Unity Housing Association is an organisation committed to building strong sustainable neighbourhoods through the provision of high quality housing and social and employment opportunities. Unity was formed in 1987 with the aim of building a strong, BME, community housing association to meet the housing needs of black and minority ethnic communities throughout Leeds. They work in the Chapeltown, Harehills, and Beeston areas of Leeds.
Unity Housing’s Employment Team offer a free tailor-made employment service to suit the needs of individuals. They help residents with practical skills such as CV writing and preparing for job interviews, as well as pointing people in the right direction of where to find work. The team run weekly IT skills sessions supporting residents with getting online and using the internet, staying safe online, using email and Office programmes, managing money and health online, and using the internet to find and secure employment. Gifting smartphones has helped Unity Housing to run their digital inclusion courses and job clubs. Learners can access online modules and apply for jobs when they aren’t able to come to one of the sessions in Unity Housing’s Hub. Some residents are unable to attend sessions in person due to issues such as caring responsibilities, but now they can access Unity’s courses from home using their phones.
“D, aged 47, has recently been made redundant. He is looking for work, but he had no phone. He couldn’t access his emails so he was going to the local library, but he was only able to stay a few hours a day. He reached out to the team through the Job Club and was given a phone so he could continue his work search.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Unity Housing
“L, age 32, had recently had her phone stolen. She has a young baby and is a single parent. She didn’t have any means to purchase a new one, her baby was due their injections, and she had no way of contacting her local GP or health visitor. She had previously accessed our services and was learning digital skills whilst pregnant. When she contacted the team she was literally at rock bottom. She had walked five miles so she could use our phones to contact her health visitor as her GP surgery was closed. She can now continue to learn new skills on her Learn my Way account and can keep in regular contact with her GP and health visitor.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Unity Housing
“I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without this phone. My little girl is due all her immunisations and I couldn’t get hold of my health visitor to ask her the time and date of such appointments. I am still learning IT skills, so this has helped massively. Thank you so much.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Unity Housing
Women’s Health Matters
Women’s Health Matters is a charity that supports disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls across Leeds and surrounding areas through a range of trauma-informed, women-centred services.
Women’s Health Matters’ DigitALL Women Project helps women build confidence and skills to use technology safely and independently. The project provides support to help get women online, stay safe, and make the most of digital tools in everyday life. The project includes a four week digital skills course, building digital confidence by exploring the basics, with particular focus on Google Workspace, staying safe online, including recognising scams and managing privacy settings, and using technology to support wellbeing and employability. The organisation offers one-to-one support for women who would like more individual help, focussing on basic skills, such as setting up email accounts or connecting devices to wifi, and online safety and security, particularly for women experiencing digital abuse. The project also provides access to Chromebooks, tablets, and other devices through a loan bank, helping women gain confidence using devices at home.
Gifting smartphones has had a positive impact on the organisation by improving the continuity of contact with the women they support. Before smartphones were available to issue, if a woman’s phone was broken, taken, or controlled by an abusive partner, Women’s Health Matters were often unable to contact her at all. Many women rely on contact by phone from their service to confirm attendance at group sessions and to arrange transport in order to attend. When contact is lost because of a damaged or controlled phone, there are instances where the organisation can go weeks without speaking to someone, with no indication of why this is. Often, they only become aware of the issues once a woman has been able to replace her phone herself or has attended a group in person to inform staff. Historically, Women’s Health Matters had no way of supporting women to replace their phones, meaning they could not receive service updates or reminders until they were able to replace these phones themselves. Having smartphones available for gifting has allowed the organisation to issue a replacement as soon as they become aware of the problem. This ensures women can remain in contact with services and continue to receive support with minimal interruption during what is often a critical period. The devices have also improved the organisation’s ability to support women who need to flee abusive situations and require a new phone and number to remain safe. Previously, this was not something they could directly assist with. For the women they support who are seeking asylum, access to phones has reduced reliance on intermediaries such as other support workers’ phones. Being able to issue devices directly to women has enabled quicker, clearer communication and fast access to group support. More broadly, access to smartphones has reduced staff time spent attempting to re-establish contact, improved engagement with the women they support and allowed women to contact the organisation between sessions when they need support.
“A woman seeking asylum who attended one of our groups did not have a phone of her own and relied on access to friends’ or support workers’ devices to communicate. This meant she could only make calls or receive messages when she was with a friend or support worker who were able to lend her their phone. As a result, she often missed group sessions because she could not receive updates or reminders directly and instead depended on other group members to pass on information. She also had medical needs and required contact with her GP. Without her own phone, she could only make appointments when she had access to someone else’s device, and she was unable to receive appointment reminders or follow-up information. In some instances, she chose to have her support worker there during calls to ensure she fully understood the conversation, as English is not her first language. When this became apparent, we were able to give her a smartphone and provide support to set it up. She was able to share her new number with her support worker and begin contacting medical services independently, while still accessing support when needed. Having her own phone enabled her to receive appointment reminders, attend group sessions more consistently, and access healthcare more easily.”
Smartphone beneficiary at Women’s Health Matters