Virgin Media O2 donates refurbished phones to help families monitor diabetes

Virgin Media O2 has delivered 1,000 refurbished smartphones to charity Supporting Children with Diabetes, with a further 500 devices pledged to low-income families. This move aims to help families across the UK better manage Type 1 diabetes through improved access to digital monitoring technology.

Device distribution

The donated smartphones are being distributed via NHS trusts. The charity Supporting Children with Diabetes is ensuring devices reach families whose children require continuous glucose monitoring. Through the Community Calling scheme, Virgin Media O2 has facilitated these donations, with the charity inviting the public to contribute unwanted smartphones.

Real-time monitoring

Smartphones support applications that connect to glucose-monitoring sensors, allowing families to check children's blood glucose levels throughout the day. This reduces the requirement for frequent finger-prick tests, providing more consistent and accurate information for both children and parents.

Zoubir, father of two daughters benefitting from the scheme, described the impact of receiving smartphones:

"We are parents of two young girls living with Type 1 diabetes. Thanks to the support of SCD, both of our daughters received mobile phones that have completely transformed how we manage their condition. Before this, they couldn't reliably access their diabetes technology, and we were often unable to monitor their glucose levels when they were away from us. The phones provided through SCD have changed that. Our daughters can now use their continuous glucose monitoring apps safely and consistently, and we can keep an eye on their levels in real time."

"This support has given us peace of mind, helped keep our girls safe at school and during activities, and allowed them greater independence without compromising their health. We are incredibly grateful for what SCD has made possible for our family. This simple piece of technology has made a profound difference to our daily lives, and we hope that other families can be supported with donated phones to help them, too."

Public involvement

The Community Calling programme allows individuals to donate unused smartphones, which are then refurbished and supplied to families in need. Virgin Media O2 said it is part of a broader effort to address digital exclusion in the UK and reduce electronic waste by rehoming devices that might otherwise be discarded.

Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:

"As someone who is a Type 1 diabetic, I know first-hand the role technology and connectivity play in keeping diabetes under control. That's why Virgin Media O2's donation to Supporting Children with Diabetes is so important as the devices are a vital tool in helping families monitor and manage this serious condition. With millions of unused smartphones gathering dust in drawers and cupboards across the UK, people have got the power to donate a device to transform a child's life, and it's quick and easy to do through our Community Calling programme."

Charity response

Carolyn Goldhill, Founder and CEO of Supporting Children with Diabetes, said:

"These devices are a game-changer for low-income families across the UK. It means children no longer need to be pricked multiple times a day to check their glucose levels as the results go straight to a smartphone. This allows their parents to log in remotely and monitor the condition more easily, so that children and their parents can lead more normal, active lives. NHS trusts across the UK rely on these much needed devices and value the contribution of Virgin Media O2."

Wider strategy

The initiative supports Virgin Media O2's wider sustainability strategy. The company has set out plans to provide 12,000 devices to individuals in need throughout 2025 as part of its Better Connections Plan. Other related programmes include the Tech Lending Community scheme, which has rehomed tablets with people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic abuse, and the O2 Recycle service, which has processed over 4 million devices since 2009.

The company is also engaged in the National Databank programme and has introduced social tariffs for broadband and mobile customers who receive government support payments.