Little helps

Little helps

At Tesco Mobile we’re giving the gift of connection

We care for human connection, so at the start of the pandemic, we set up the Little Helps scheme to get devices and data to people who really need them.

Since the first lockdown, we’ve donated more than 27,000 devices and more than 28,000 data-loaded SIMs to over 4000 charities and community initiatives, covering areas such as: vulnerable families and young people, homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health and refugees arriving in the UK.

 

 

Reconnecting Ukrainian refugees to vital support services

“The donations provided by Tesco Mobile have been absolutely critical for those fleeing conflict.” Chris, British Red Cross.

Digital connection is proving to be one of the few ways for people arriving from Ukraine to access essential support in the UK. One of Tesco’s valued colleagues has been volunteering every Saturday since the Ukrainian conflict began, helping refugees with vital assistance as they arrive in the UK for the first time at Luton Airport.

Supporting victims of domestic violence

"It is amazing to have a stock of phones ready for people who come through the door with absolutely nothing.” Sarah, Sanctus

Supporting rough sleepers

“We had been struggling to stay in contact with rough sleepers due to their lack of connectivity.  The devices provided by Tesco Mobile have been transformational.” Rebecca, South Norfolk and Broadland Council.

Protecting children and young people

“The devices donated by Tesco Mobile supported us to reshape our traditional communication model.” Claire, Barnardo’s.

At Tesco Mobile we've helped to reconnect thousands of people who need it more than ever.

Take a look at these videos to see how we've helped since 2020

Little Helps Scheme

Please Note:​ Our Little Helps scheme is now closed as of 30th Dec 2022. ​

The scheme has been a great success, helping over 41,000 people from 2020 to 2022.​

We remain committed to tackling digital exclusion, and will continue to work towards meeting our target of connecting 50,000 more people by 2025 working with our new charity partner, the Trussell Trust.​

All approved requests that meet our criteria received prior to 30th Dec 2022 will be honoured. We would like to thank all charities, community groups and organisations who used our services helping us reconnect the disconnected. ​

FAQs

Since 2020, we have been donating phones, SIMs and data to help vulnerable and disadvantaged people reconnect with society through the Reconnects programme. The initiative was made up of two streams, the Crisis partnership, and the Little Helps scheme. Our ground-breaking partnership with Crisis ended in August and whilst we remain completely committed to tackling digital exclusion, we will be ending the current Little Helps scheme at the end of 2022. 

Our Little Helps scheme was a great success, helping over 41,000 people from 2020 to 2022. We’ve decided to end the Little Helps scheme in its current form, as we’d love to reach even more people facing hardship than ever before and believe our new partnership with the Trussell Trust will do just that. 

From 2020 to 2022 we worked with over 4,000 charity partners and community groups across the UK. From national charities to local community organisations, we helped deliver connectivity to people who needed it the most. The Little Helps scheme helped over 41,000 people and donated the equivalent of over £2.5m in value of devices and connectivity.

We will be ending the Little Helps scheme at the end of this year, by 30th December 2022. Whilst we are in the process of exiting the scheme, we will honour all of the requests that we receive from charities until this point that meet the criteria for the scheme as outlined on our website and through the application process.

At Tesco Mobile, we care for human connection and believe everyone has the right to be connected. That’s why we have announced a new target of connecting 50,000 more people by 2025.  We will reach this target through our partnership with the Trussell Trust from 2023. 

Through the Little Helps Databank, Tesco Mobile will be donating data-loaded SIM cards to people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network. We will also be donating tablets, mobile Wi-Fi and SIM cards to food banks themselves, so that they can provide their services as efficiently as possible. 

The new partnership is important because we care for human connection. Without connection, people are locked out of life-changing services, held back from opportunities, and cut off from loved ones. The partnership offers a way to help provide this essential connectivity to people who need it most, alongside the food and funding provided via Tesco’s 10 year partnership with the Trussell Trust.

Our two schemes to offer devices and connectivity to food banks through the Trussell Trust network is the ‘Little Helps Databank’ and ‘Connected Food Banks. Through the Little Helps Databank, we will be donating data-loaded SIM cards to people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network. We will also be donating tablets, mobile Wi-Fi and SIM cards to food banks themselves, so that they can provide their services as efficiently as possible.  We call this programme ‘Connected Food Banks’

To find out more about how we want to make an even bigger impact, you can head to Connected communities