Collaboration Between People's Partnership and Good Things Foundation to Combat Digital and Financial Isolation in the UK
In a significant move to empower low-income and vulnerable adults, Good Things Foundation, a UK charity focused on digital inclusion, has partnered with pension provider People's Partnership. This collaboration aims to break down barriers for people to confidently engage with their financial future.
People's Partnership, managing £35bn (€40bn) in assets for over seven million savers, is co-developing a new online learning module for Good Things Foundation's free digital skills platform called "Learn My Way." This module will help digitally excluded adults better manage their money online, addressing the fact that one in five UK households experience some form of digital exclusion[1][3].
Key elements of the collaboration include the development of an online financial management learning module integrated into the existing digital skills platform, a digital journey audit, and a series of webinars for members of Good Things Foundation’s National Digital Inclusion Network, which connects over 5,000 community partners nationwide.
Nicola Sinclair, Head of Responsible Business at People's Partnership, emphasized the shared commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age[1][3]. This initiative builds on Good Things Foundation's previous partnerships in tackling digital inclusion challenges and targets specifically financial literacy and capability by bridging digital skills with financial empowerment for vulnerable groups[1].
Data from Ofcom shows that 9% of households struggle to afford mobile services, 8% struggle to afford broadband, and 16% of adults lack foundation level digital skills, with 4% being completely offline[2]. A 2024 Good Things Foundation report found that the minimum digital living standard for UK households includes accessible internet, adequate equipment, and the skills and knowledge needed to use it[3].
Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation, stated that the partnership aims to help low-income and vulnerable adults manage their money online, addressing digital and financial exclusion. The partnership does not involve any syndicated loans or investment agreements, nor does it involve any EU funding, Tanzanian businesses, or Turkey's QNB Leasing[1].
In summary, the partnership strategically combines digital skills education with financial management to reduce exclusion, improve online money management, and support financial inclusion for millions of vulnerable adults in the UK[1][3].
[1] Good Things Foundation press release, 2022. [2] Ofcom, Adults' use and perceptions of telecommunications services, 2021. [3] Good Things Foundation, Digital Inclusion: A Review of the Evidence, 2024.
- The partnership between Good Things Foundation and People's Partnership aims to strategically combine digital skills education with financial management to improve online money management and support financial inclusion for millions of vulnerable adults in the UK.
- People's Partnership, in collaboration with Good Things Foundation, is co-developing an online learning module focused on financial management to help digitally excluded adults better manage their money online.
- By addressing digital and financial exclusion, this partnership is strategically aimed at empowering low-income and vulnerable adults, a significant step in ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
- The development finance provided by People's Partnership for this collaboration does not involve syndicated loans, investment agreements, nor funds from the EU or Turkey's QNB Leasing, nor is it applied towards Tanzanian businesses or businesses outside the UK.
