Free smartphones given to vulnerable people in Basildon

3:30pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Local News

VULNERABLE and disadvantaged people across Basildon are being provided with free smartphones to help them overcome their difficulties.

Around 1,000 mobile phones are being given to residents across the borough enabling them to have free texts and calls for the next two years.

The phones will be given to people currently out of employment or training to help them get back to work, and disabled and elderly residents to help them become better integrated in society.

Twenty-seven phones will also be given to women being helped by Basildon Women’s Aid, which provides refuge for women and their children who are the victim of domestic abuse.

They will help victims keep in touch with family members and contact people such as solicitors and housing departments who could help them escape a life of violence, isolation and fear.

Lyn Headley, CEO at Basildon Women’s Aid, said: “The phones will be a tremendous help for families escaping from an abusive home and will also have a great impact on our telephone costs allowing much sought after funds to be spent helping the families at the refuge.”

The initiative, entitled “1,000 Chances to Help” has been launched by the Swan Foundation, in a bid to combat social exclusion in the community.

Pamela Brown, head of the foundation, said: “There are so many young people out of work at the moment that we are at risk of losing a generation if we do not help them. We are also acutely aware of the impact of domestic violence and the courage it takes to leave, and are delighted that we have been able to help though the distribution of the smart phones."
 

Comments(13)

Max 269 says...
4:01pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Echo tomorrow crime wave hits Basildon. How stupid do u need to be to work in newspapers

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Danman565 says...
4:08pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Fantastic news for cash converters.

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Letmetryagain says...
6:16pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Unbelievable !!





BQS

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jolllyboy says...
6:23pm Tue 12 Feb 13

So but this is a joke.Sorry but i do not believe they dont have one already.
When old people cannot afford teeth when theirs are pulled out, nor glasses when they need them. Nor hearing aids. What right do these people have to give out free phones.
if this is true then all pensioners should be given a mobile with their free bus passes on retirement - to help them inegrate with society.

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Sean4u says...
6:41pm Tue 12 Feb 13

It's disgustingly hypocritical that there's a home in the UK that doesn't have a landline that provides free access to government phone lines and websites in gov.uk, police.uk, sch.uk and nhs.uk. How can we have e-government if we're not e-citizens?

Someone will be raking in some management fees for this jape.

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billericay boy says...
7:46pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Only a 1000, how many people live in basildon...

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DogsMessInLeigh says...
8:47pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Everyone has a phone already....oldies have them, kids have them, un-employed have them, and to hand out free 'smart phones' is outrageous...whats wrong with a £7.50 basic handset..?

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benfleet101 says...
12:22am Wed 13 Feb 13

This was done in America (Google 'Obamaphone')and caused a lot of resentment there. However, this appears to be nothing to do with Basildon Council, nor the Government. It is a charity called the Swan Foundation who is pioneering the project and giving the phones away, their website says they HAVE 1000, but have given 27 to Vulnerable Women from Basildon Women's refuge.
Do we feel we have the right to now dictate how and when voluntary organisations spend their time and money too?

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DogsMessInLeigh says...
8:57am Wed 13 Feb 13

Fair enough benfleet101, so seeing as its an In-house thing is it really newsworthy.

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Rainbowman says...
8:47pm Wed 13 Feb 13

what a load of rubbish...Basildon is the ghetto of Essex, i do not belive the jobless should get a free smartphone, it's just rewarding them more for sitting on their backsides. please do not be misguided by these people that cannot find work. they can they have a choice and they choose not too. And they are getting help making that choice, aby all these friggin hand outs.

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Basildon Reader says...
11:37am Thu 14 Feb 13

It is easy to criticize and be negative,, of course it is not going to solve all the problems... if the users make just one call and sort just "one issue" it will be worth it... at least someone is trying to do something, and not everyone who has mobiles can afford to put credit to call, so again this can be helpful.

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JessyJar says...
12:25pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Why cant they be given normal basic phones? no need for smart phones to be handed out?!

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equalitycampaigner says...
3:59pm Thu 14 Feb 13

It is a disgrace some of the comments on this stream the whole ethos of this project is about promoting social inclusion and well being for the vulnerable.

It seems to me some people are yet again seeing the green eyed monster of jealousy rather than seeing this project as promoting inclusion and giving back some freedoms to people who are having a tough time,I just hope some of you who have commented with bile on this subject never become in a situation of needing help!!

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