From Isolation to Connection: Martyn’s
Moment That Moved Us All

Meeting Martyn

During Get Online Week, we met Martyn — a quietly spoken man living in supported
accommodation who’s faced more than his fair share of challenges. Life, for him, isn’t simple. He moves around on a mobility scooter, which limits how often he can get out and connect with others. But that day, at one of our Digital Health Days, something shifted.

We were helping residents like Martyn set up and use the NHS App, showing them how to manage appointments, order prescriptions, and find health information in ways that give them more control. Martyn listened carefully, uncertain at first, unsure if any of this really applied to him. Then came the moment that changed everything.

The Moment It Sank In

When we told Martyn we’d helped him access free data and £15 monthly airtime credit through the National Databank, he didn’t quite believe it.
At first, he thought it was a joke.

Then, as the automated voice confirmed his top-up, reality sank in — someone had just given him a way to stay connected, not just for today, but every month for the next 12 months.

He was half laughing, half crying – overwhelmed by disbelief and gratitude. You could see it in his eyes – this wasn’t just about the money. It was about being seen. Being helped. Being valued.

What £15 Really Means

That £15 meant more than a phone top-up. It meant Martyn could stay in touch with friends and family, receive NHS updates, book appointments, and keep connected to services that support him. For someone with mobility issues, that connection is vital — it bridges the gap between isolation and interaction, giving him the independence to do more from home and the confidence to reach out when he needs help.

The small act of staying connected through his phone now supports not only his physical needs but his mental wellbeing too. Being online means Martyn can engage with others, find motivation on the days that feel hard, and enjoy moments of laughter and companionship again — all through the device he once felt distant from.

Why We Do What We Do

As his voice cracked and tears rolled down his face, the whole room went quiet. Sometimes, the
simplest act – a bit of airtime, a bit of data, a bit of kindness — becomes life-changing.

– We left that day reminded of why we do what we do.
– Because digital access isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
– And behind every phone we top up, every app we install, and every smile we see — there’s a story like Martyn’s.