WCHG’s Digital Inclusion Pilot working with Virgin 02
Updated post available: December 2022
For updated information about the city-wide pilot we are launching in partnership with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and the GMCA read our latest news post.
Original post: April 2022
You may have received a letter at the beginning of April about an initiative with Virgin O2.
The letter invited tenants to get involved with a trial of an exciting project that we hope will improve people’s digital connectivity. The aim is to help more tenants to access the internet for a lower cost.
We believe this is the first of its kind in the UK, and therefore a real boost to Wythenshawe and Greater Manchester.
Having access to the internet has become even more important to all of us since Covid-19. Being online allows you to connect with friends and family, shop online, get advice on financial management and budgeting, access medical services, plus much, much more.
We are working with several Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Our joint aim is to provide an affordable digital access offer, alongside a package of practical training and support, that can be developed for eligible households across Greater Manchester. In the first instance, the only personal data we are intending to share with Virgin 02 is the address and postcode of eligible properties, for the sole purpose of a pre-installation survey to determine if broadband can be installed at that location. We have written to our customers to explain how we will handle their information in line with our privacy notice, and how they can let us know if they don’t wish to be included in the survey.
We will soon be in touch with eligible tenants who don’t object to us sharing their details with Virgin 02 – you will shortly receive more information about the pilot and the next steps.
To find out more about the idea, you can take a look at our Group Chief Executive’s blog on GMCA’s website providing more detail. If you would prefer not to be involved, you can let our contact centre know by emailing customerenquiries@wchg.org.uk
