Welcome To Our November Newsletter
As winter approaches, the demand for our services continues to grow, while the generosity of our supporters and partners also grows. This month has brought heart-warming stories of reconnection, inspiring new collaborations and incredible acts of kindness that keep the SimPal mission alive.
From The Frontline
The Numbers
In November, we were able to distribute:
- 110 phones
- 108 SIM cards
- 13 laptops
Each of these devices represents a person now able to reach their support network, access healthcare, manage benefits, or simply stay in touch with loved ones.
Our New Global Sponsor
We are delighted to welcome Check Point Software Technologies, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, as a new sponsor. Chris recently attended a fundraising evening in London with the UK Check Point team. They have committed to collaborating with and fundraising for SimPal for at least the following year, hopefully longer.
The fundraising event on 25th October raised substantial donations. A huge thank you to Emma Homewood and everyone at Check Point for choosing to support our work.
Thank You, FreeIT Stafford
We remain incredibly grateful to FreeIT Stafford and their wonderful team of volunteers. As a charity with no government funding, we depend on sponsors and partners like them. The recycled devices we receive go to people in real need, whether due to ill health or poverty, while also helping to reduce electronic waste.
If you have old devices, FreeIT Stafford can refurbish and clean them, ready to help someone else:
Real Stories, Real Impact
A Fresh Start Through Art and Connection
After years of trauma and disadvantage, one of our beneficiaries recently underwent cataract surgery that transformed his life. With his eyesight restored, he’s been able to return to his passion for portrait painting. This was something he’d been forced to give up as his vision deteriorated.
Thanks to a new SimPal phone and Vodafone SIM, he can now stay in touch with his mum and daughters, take photos that inspire his art, and keep in contact with his support team. For him, this phone is far more than a device; it’s a bridge back to creativity, connection, and independence.
Davina’s First Ever Phone
Davina, who lives with arthritis and mobility challenges, recently received her very first mobile phone through SimPal. Until now, managing essential tasks like paying council taxes, booking GP appointments, or updating her Universal Credit account meant painful, time-consuming trips into the city.
With her new phone, Davina can now handle everything from home. This ranges from shopping online to keeping in touch with her younger brother. What might seem like a small gift has brought her independence, comfort, and connection, transforming her daily life in ways that truly matter.
Supporting a Young Volunteer
When Kirsty received a SimPal SIM card, it meant she could stay in touch with her support worker even when money was tight. On one occasion, she was unable to afford transport for her son to attend his social prescribing appointment, but thanks to being able to call, his worker stepped in and made sure he got there.
Her son is now thriving in his volunteer role, helping to transform a community garden by planting daffodils and creating a space others can enjoy. This small act of connection had a ripple effect, supporting education, wellbeing, and community spirit in one simple yet powerful way.
Supporter Spotlight
One of the best things about running a small charity is the incredible people we meet. Every person we support has their life changed by being able to connect to the services. Those are vital to exist day to day. Behind the scenes are supporters who donate time, cash and devices – without them, we would really struggle.
Recently, our ambassador, Lee Townsend, spoke with his colleague, Michal Siewniak, who very kindly selected SimPal as the recipient of three laptops. These will make a significant difference for families with several children who are struggling to complete their schoolwork because they lack suitable devices at home. A huge thank you to both of you for your incredible donation.
Partner Pulse
Our partnership with the 1823 Group continues to grow stronger. This week, we are heading to London to receive 25 laptops, thanks to 1823 and Kerry Angel from Harbottle & Lewis. We have already received 11 phones from Weil Gotshal law firm, with a further 15 phones expected from another organisation this week.
These organisations have also committed to donating more devices throughout the coming year. 1823 is also producing a short documentary about our work, which will be shown at a major presentation to law firms. We will receive a copy to share with our community.
Their advocacy is helping spread the word about SimPal among their customers and networks.
The Good Things Foundation & Get Online Week
#GetOnlineWeek 2025 – 20–26 October
Helping more people get connected and stay online
This year’s Get Online Week, organised by Good Things Foundation, took place from 20–26 October 2025 and focused on helping people access affordable internet through social broadband tariffs. These special packages provide the same service as standard broadband but at a lower cost for those receiving benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
During the week, participants were encouraged to:
- Check their eligibility – Many people on benefits discovered they could qualify for a low-cost social tariff.
- Contact their provider – To ask about switching to a social tariff, usually at no extra cost.
- Use a comparison tool – The team at Faster Broadband provided a free checker to find suitable deals.
- Compare costs – With broadband tariffs starting from around £12.50 per month and discounted mobile plans also available.
- Apply and get online – Enabling more people to access essential services, stay in touch with loved ones, and participate fully in digital life.
Get Online Week 2025 was a timely reminder that digital access isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic need for connection, opportunity, and inclusion.
Our relationship with organisations like the Good Things Foundation and Faster Broadband is crucial in ensuring people not only have devices and SIMs, but also the connectivity they require to use them.
In the News
As services become more digital, being connected online is no longer optional – it’s vital. For the people we support, a phone or laptop is often essential for managing benefits, paying bills, accessing healthcare, remaining in education, and staying in touch with family and support workers. Our goal is simple: to ensure that no one is left behind because they cannot afford a device or connection.
A Digitally Inclusive Vision for Public Service Media
The BBC’s Responsible Innovation Centre for Public Media Futures (RIC) is leading research into how public service media can help close the UK’s growing digital divide. With more than 8.5 million people lacking basic digital skills and 1.6 million largely offline, the report highlights that digital inclusion is essential for participation in modern life. It argues that exclusion is not just a technical issue but deeply linked to poverty, health, housing, and education — and that tackling it requires collaboration between governments, charities, businesses, and media organisations.
Public service media, including the BBC, have a unique opportunity to make a difference by using their trusted reach to raise digital literacy, promote access, and ensure audiences can navigate the shift from broadcast to online platforms. The initiative calls for continued research to define and measure digital inclusion, explore the impact of new technologies, and create a shared roadmap for a fairer digital society.
Read the full article on the BBC website
Inside SimPal
All of our trustees have been very busy tying up loose ends for 2025 and making arrangements for the AGM. We are also planning some exciting changes for 2026, including expanding our partnerships and increasing the number of organisations that can refer directly to our service.
Growth and progress are not just about the number of devices we distribute. They also include how many organisations use our service, how many sponsors wish to assist, and, most importantly, how many people we reach who are currently trapped at home without internet or a means to connect. Achieving this requires significant collaboration across the extended SimPal family.
We also have several meetings coming up with the NHS and potential new sponsors, and we hope to firm up some of these exciting discussions before the end of the year.
Meet the SimPal Team
Behind SimPal’s powerful mission to keep people connected is a passionate and dedicated team of professionals, each bringing unique skills, heart, and energy to the cause.
Chris Lewis – COO / Trustee
As co-founder of SimPal, Chris drives the organisation’s vision and day-to-day operations. A cancer survivor and seasoned entrepreneur, he brings unmatched dedication to ensuring no one is isolated due to a lack of connection.
Avril Chester – Patron
Avril is an award-winning tech innovator, author, and cancer advocate. As Patron of SimPal, she lends her voice, expertise, and networks to elevate the impact of our mission.
Megan Simpson – Trustee
Megan is a digital health leader passionate about inclusion and innovation. With a strong background in healthcare transformation and equity, she brings valuable insight to SimPal’s mission. As a Trustee, Megan helps guide our strategy to ensure our services meet the real needs of those we support.
Zac Toumazi – Corporate Affairs/Trustee
Zac offers strategic insight and expertise in corporate relationships. A trusted Trustee, he helps shape SimPal’s governance and partnerships, making sure we grow responsibly and sustainably.
Lee Townsend – Brand Ambassador
Lee is a professional boxer and a passionate advocate for inclusion. As a SimPal Brand
Ambassador, he’s using his platform to raise awareness and share the transformative power of connection.
Jason Boyd – Website and Tech Manager
Jason brings technical know-how to the team, maintaining our website and digital
infrastructure. His work ensures our services remain accessible and efficient behind the
scenes.
Frances Fletcher – Social Media Manager
Frances energises our online presence with creative, meaningful content across platforms. She’s instrumental in growing SimPal’s digital community and increasing visibility for our work.
Sheila Docker – Brand Ambassador
Sheila brings warmth, wisdom, and lived experience to her ambassador role. Her advocacy and outreach help us stay grounded in the real-world impact of our work.
Christina Lattimer – Fundraising and Communications Manager
With a strong background in leadership and social impact, Christina leads our fundraising and outreach efforts. She ensures SimPal’s message reaches the right people and turns awareness into action.
What’s Next
We are working with many of our great donors, partners, and sponsors to ensure we can help as many people as possible. This month, we are looking forward to the upcoming AGM and hope to share our plans for the future, including details of our 2026 campaign, in January. We close the doors for a few weeks in December, and so any questions or applications need to be made this month.
Getting Involved
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate an old phone – We’ll wipe it, recycle it, and give it new life.
- Make a one-off or monthly donation – Every £10 helps keep someone connected.
- Become a Partner – Contact us to explore a potential partnership.
- Spread the word – Forward this newsletter or share our campaign on social media.
- Volunteer with us – Tech skills welcome but not essential. Enthusiasm matters most.
Email us:
chris@yoursimpal.com