‘We are unable to rebuild our lives’: Community calls for free internet in temporary accommodation

Residents have come together to call for free internet access for people living in temporary accommodation.

Last week, members of the Lewisham and Greenwich Citizens (LGC) group and Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN) presented Councillor Will Cooper with an open letter calling on Lewisham council to ensure those in the most precarious housing situations have access to online services.

In February, Greenwich council partnered with the charity Good Things Foundation to provide 7,200 free SIM cards for low-income residents in the borough. LGC and LRMN are now calling on Lewisham council to do the same.

A spokeswoman for the LGC said:  “Having access to the internet should be considered a basic need and a human right nowadays. 

“Without internet, we are even more isolated and unable to rebuild our lives.”

Cllr Cooper – Lewisham’s new cabinet member for housing – has promised to consider the proposals and respond in January.

A spokeswoman from Lewisham council said: “We are reviewing the proposals and Cllr Cooper is looking forward to further meetings with Lewisham Citizens and LRMN in the New Year to discuss the next steps.”

Pictured top: Members of LGC and LRMN at a meeting last week (Picture: LRMN)