Hillcrest Futures wins £10,000 from internet provider to combat digital isolation
Pictured from left: Toni-Marie Porter, Harm Reduction Project Worker and Alison Morris, Adult Drug & Alcohol Service Coordinator
Scottish charity Hillcrest Futures has won a donation of £10,000 from internet provider Hyperoptic as part of the company’s tenth anniversary celebrations marking a decade of gigabit broadband delivery.
Hyperoptic received hundreds of applications in the prize draw and Hillcrest Futures was drawn as the winner through random selection.
The donation will be used to combat digital isolation among the people Hillcrest Futures supports across Tayside, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Hillcrest Futures’ Managing Director, Joy Dunlop explains: “We are thrilled to have won this generous donation which will help transform the lives of those who are digitally excluded.
“The pandemic has truly highlighted the digital divide among society, with many feeling left behind. The funds will be used to grow our initiatives to ensure vulnerable people have access to essential online services.
“Half of the funds will go towards expanding our digital device lending library to our homeless services in Edinburgh. Our goal is to ensure people staying in temporary accommodation are able to effectively participate in digital activity to support them to live their lives and stay connected.
“The other half of the funds will be used to develop our mobile phone and top up initiative for digitally excluded individuals who access our drug and alcohol services in Tayside, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The scheme will provide phones and credit to help people keep in touch with vital support services and feel less isolated.”
John McCabe, Hyperoptic’s Head of Business Development National commented: “On behalf of Hyperoptic, I am delighted to confirm Hillcrest Futures as the winner of our charity donation. I am also personally delighted Hillcrest is the winner, as I worked to agree the initial partnership where we installed our network at their development in Granton, Edinburgh.”