Welcome To Our February Newsletter

As we step into 2026 and look ahead to SimPal’s 10th year, one thing is clear: the need for our work is growing faster than ever. The demand for digital support is no longer a “nice-to-have” service; it is frontline access to healthcare, education, safety, and human connection.

Across the UK, thousands of people are locked out of essential services simply because they don’t have a working phone, data, or a laptop. And yet, what inspires us daily is this: the community around SimPal has never been stronger.

From The Frontline

Digital poverty is no longer hidden,  it’s showing up everywhere: in GP surgeries, hospitals, schools, job centres and frontline charities supporting people in crisis.

When essential services increasingly move online (including NHS access), a lack of devices or connectivity means many people simply cannot reach the help they need.

Thanks to our supporters, partners and referral organisations, SimPal continues to bridge that gap and keep people connected when it matters most.

January Support

We started off 2026 in January with our new 3-day working week.  It was reassuring that this didn’t impact the number of people we support.  We supplied the following devices

  • 78 Phones
  • 89 Sims
  • 9 laptops

Looking Ahead to Our 10th Year

There is only so much any organisation can predict, but what we do know is that the need is real, the impact is proven, and the community around SimPal has never been stronger.

What comes next:

  1. Deeper collaboration with the NHS and local authorities
  2. Expanded referral pathways
  3. A renewed 2026 campaign

This is the direction of travel, and we are entering this year with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

Real Stories, Real Impact

X has recently been rehoused following eviction and is now settled in her new tenancy. This is a recent application. She lives with a serious heart condition and long COVID, and has an implanted defibrillator connected to a home monitoring system. She is monitored daily and has previously suffered two heart attacks, a stroke and TIAs.

Her phone has broken, leaving her without a direct way to be contacted. Given her health needs, access to a working phone is essential. She is currently reliant on her daughter to relay messages or be present when contact is needed.

X’s Personal Independence Payment has recently been stopped and is under appeal, with support from Mersey Law. It is vital that she can be contacted directly during this process.

We post most of our positive feedback on our website.  This is vital to demonstrate to sponsors and people who are searching for support to see the difference we make.  You can view our latest feedback here.

Inside SimPal

As our work scales nationally, we’re also strengthening the leadership and advocacy around SimPal, ensuring we have the expertise, networks and champions required to meet growing demand and remain sector-leading.

This year is about:

Introducing Our New Ambassadors

Welcome Kevin Donaghy

We are thrilled to formally welcome Kevin Donaghy as a new SimPal Ambassador.

Kevin has supported SimPal for years and has been a powerful force behind the scenes, introducing key suppliers and partners, raising the charity’s profile, and offering invaluable expertise in technology and cyber security.

Kevin lives in the Scottish Borders and has worked in IT for 35 years. In 2019, Kevin was diagnosed with stage 4 incurable cancer, which led him to write Stories of Cancer and Hope, a collection of 39 personal stories designed to help others feel less alone. Through his network, Kevin has donated 7,500 hard copies to over 90 cancer charities and treatment centres in the UK and Ireland.

Kevin’s passion for helping people affected by poor health, cancer and digital poverty makes him a perfect champion for SimPal.

Welcome Annette Brown

We are also absolutely delighted to officially welcome Annette Brown as SimPal’s newest Charity Ambassador.

Annette brings world-class business and technology leadership, and she is already creating impact. Working closely with our partners in 1823, Annette helped architect vital new partnerships in the legal IT sector, creating a growing pipeline of surplus laptops and phones that are already changing lives.

Annette is:
Director, Intuition(ab) Limited
CTO, Social Mobility Business Partnership
Former Head of IT, Milbank LLP

Annette is passionate about technology as a force for social change, and SimPal is incredibly lucky to have her advocacy, credibility and energy as we scale into 2026.

Partner Spotlight: A Film We’re Proud Of

“No Connection – No Chance” (Short Film)

We are proud to share a short film created for SimPal by Tim Hunt, Business Development & Growth Advisor (Fractional CMO & DPO), who wrote and directed the project.

Tim described it as the project he is most proud of in 2025, not because of production value, but because of community impact.

In just a few minutes, the film communicates a simple but uncomfortable truth:

If you have no phone, no airtime and no data, you are effectively excluded from a society that assumes everyone is online.

Tim also highlighted the scale of the issue: digital exclusion affects more than two million UK adults, with generational consequences already being felt, particularly by children who cannot access the hardware needed to study online.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in the film, including:
Toby Harris, Matt H., Annette Brown, Kerry Angel and Darren Szukalski.

Watch the film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVaplur-o7k

What’s Next

We are entering 2026 with:

  • stronger collaborations
  • more advocacy
  • a growing referral network
  • and major momentum behind our renewed campaign

As we approach our 10th year, we’ll continue building towards:

  • deeper work with the NHS and local authorities
  • expanded referral pathways
  • and a 2026 campaign that increases national visibility and drives more device and funding support.

Getting Involved

Here’s how you can help SimPal keep people connected:

📩 Email us:
chris@yoursimpal.com

🌐 Website:
www.yoursimpal.com

 

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