Darwen Asylum seeker and refugee enterprise partnered with Opus Broadband to receive FREE broadband boost
How partnering with Opus Broadband is helping local people in Blackburn
Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise (DARE) which provides a drop-in service for the refugee and asylum seeker community.
They meet at the Central United Reformed Church.
DARE has linked up with the North West broadband company to offer families in need free internet as many were unable to get connected.
Emily Jones from the integration and community engagement team said: “It is really fantastic. We are always looking to make sure that people who are new to the borough are well connected
“The more digitally included people can be, the better it is from our point of view. We just don’t want people being isolated.”
Chair of Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise, John East, said the free internet donation has assisted around 400 people since it was installed.
He said “As far as I’m concerned, it might be unique in the whole of the country. No other local authority, no other town, no other local community project has managed to engage with that amount of people.
“People will get the benefits of being able to go online to access various services, education and help improve their health and well-being, services that are vital for their everyday lives.”
Opus Broadband helps refugee and asylum seekers stay in touch with family
One user who spoke through a translator said: “It’s been really good. I use it for banking, job searching, paying bills, shopping, social media, education, health services and advice.
“I also use it to stay in touch with friends in London. It’s made it easier as I don’t feel like I am on my own.”
How would you like to be an Opus Partner?
The partnership is part of Opus Broadband’s ‘Internet For Everyone’ campaign which sees the company donate free broadband connections to homes and organisations that provide vital services to their community.
What is our Internet for everyone programme?
Internet for everyone is our Digital Social Initiative and our commitment to bridging the digital divide across towns and cities in the North West. We donate broadband to schools, charities, community groups, social landlords, and local authorities.
What we do
We donate 20% of our network coverage to deliver free broadband to families and organisations that need it the most to help close the digital divide.
Why we do it
We believe not enough is being done by the national Internet Service Providers to bridge the digital divide.
Whilst social tariffs have been introduced these are still at a cost to even the most disadvantaged families.
At Opus Broadband we decided we could make a real difference.
As an independent internet provider we are able to go the extra mile and offer our connections completely free of charge to those who would otherwise be without.
We recently visited The Life Centre a charity in Blackpool. To discuss the impact of the Internet for Everyone programme.
How can you get a referral for a FREE Broadband connection
We want to donate broadband to the digitally excluded who really need it. We can only do it with your help, if you are part of a local council, housing association, school or community group. Get in touch today through the link below.