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Access4all: Digital Inclusion through Framework UK

The Framework Digital Inclusion Team has successfully secured funding to collaborate with Digital Notts. Our mission is to connect service users with essential information and digital services when they need them.

The inclusion team have launched several initiatives which include:

  • A website launch – the introduction of the www.access4all.uk hub for all Digital resources within Framework
  • Digital Skills Days and Drop -ins – events aimed to enhance digital skills among our service users
  • Device Recycling – the recycling of laptops and phones donated by corporate partners
  • SIM Card Distribution – free SIM cards from Vodafone to users

The focus was on equipping service users with everyday skills to help them manage their lives and thrive in today’s society. The team comprises of two full-time staff members funded by the Access Foundation and a group of dedicated voluntary Digital Champions.


Framework have been focusing on rough sleepers as part of the first phase of the project. Access to healthcare is important for this group as not having a phone could prevent individual from starting their journey to recovery.

Richard Sparkes from the Rough Sleepers Drug and Alcohol Treatment Team (RSDATT) in Nottingham explains the impact of being able to provide a donated phone and SIM card to one of his service users.

Meet Glen

Glen, a 48-year-old man, struggled with substance use for many years. He accessed treatment in 2020 but dropped out due to the COVID pandemic and lack of a phone, making contact difficult. By 2023, the RSDATT found his situation had worsened; he lived in an unfit sub-let house and was Cuckooed (had his house taken over) by drug dealers. His substance use spiralled out of control. After receiving a phone and SIM through the Framework Digital Inclusion project, Glen re-entered treatment and started opiate substitute therapy. Despite initially engaging well, he became unreachable again after being forced out of his house by drug dealers.
“I’d been out on the streets, keeping myself to myself, I got a tent and was staying out of everyone’s way. One day some other homeless people moved in near me. I always try and help people out. I let someone use my phone and they nicked it. I didn’t want to get into a fight with them, so I packed up and moved. It happens all the time, you think someone is a mate and lend them something then they screw you over.”

Glen’s continued struggles and path to rehab

Glen continued picking up his prescription but remained unreachable as he was laying low. When his prescription ran out, he returned to the clinic and received a new phone. During his absence, Framework began the process for his detox and rehab. Glen had an assessment the day after returning; missing it would have meant waiting months for another chance.

Glen has kept hold of his phone ever since. He is due to go to rehab in January. 

“Rich and the RSDATT tell me 2024 is going to be my year…if I want it to be. Having a phone means they can get hold of me when they need to. Just the other day, after months being on the street, Richard rang me to tell me I had an assessment for some temporary housing. We went together and it went well. Today, Richard rang me to tell me I move in next week!”

Phones for our clients mean the difference between staying in treatment and not. They mean getting the opportunity to go to rehab or staying out on the streets. They are a means to communicate with family or lose touch with everyone. Something we take for granted, a bit of tech in our pockets – when a client is in crisis or in danger, having a phone can literally be the difference between life and death. 

Please, if you have an old phone sat in a drawer gathering dust – donate it. It will make a difference!