ecotalk

ecotalk is a mobile operator network, where you can switch (keeping your number) and profits are used to buy up land for rewilding projects across England.

Run on the nation’s best coverage, there are simple affordable tariffs and the company even runs on green energy, as the founder is also the founder Ecotricity (the only green energy company that does not use abattoir waste to generate energy – it’s even making gas from grass!).

To switch, just choose a plan, activate your SIM and set up an online account. You’ll receive your new SIM within about three days, with all plants on a 30-day contract with no charge if you switch.

You can keep your existing number if you get a PAC code, or switch to a new number, your choice. All plans come with a guarantee no annual price increase. Plus there are no exit fees, if you ever decide to leave.

So What Does EcoTalk Fund?

Rewilding projects, specifically those that are protecting ‘Britain’s lost rainforests’. There were once several of them from Cornwall to Scotland and they teemed with wildlife. In fact, around a fifth of our country was covered in forest. But modern agriculture methods and urban buildings have led to us losing most of our woodlands, which has affected all creatures from pine martens to squirrels to critically endangered species like dormice and hedgehogs.

So profits from EcoTalk are used to basically buy up land and put it in the right conditions to regenerate it back to nature, so no companies can buy and build on it.

This means trees and flowers can flourish once more, and species like beavers can build dams, pine martens that naturally manage grey squirrel numbers without cruel culls (which will let red squirrels flourish) and carbon emissions (and floods) will reduce. And of course – all the wild birds will sing with joy!

A Phone Company (with reducing bills)

honest mobile

Honest Mobile rewards loyalty, with bills reducing until they are 30% of your bill. You are also told if you make a chargeable call, so you don’t get a nasty surprise on your bill. The company also plants trees on your behalf and you can view how much carbon you’ve saved on your phone. You can keep your current number. Or get a new one. It’s up to you.

This company is determined to make it easy to have a mobile phone contract that is simple, affordable and helps to reduce carbon. The strong signals ensure you won’t get stranded without a phone, and the company also offers speedy and friendly customer service.

The UK’s first B-Corp mobile network has big plans, and already remove double the carbon created, across the entire lifetime of your phone. So in mathematical terms – the carbon footprint of each call, email or even selfie you make, is removed twice over!

The company also offer business packages, just get in touch to see the best plan to sign up to. To get started with a personal or business account, just sign up to order an e-Sim (or physical Sim made from recycled plastic) and then activate it in the Honest hub, setting your preferences.

Then if keeping your existing number, just get your PAC code for easy transfer over. The packages include 5 days of free foaming on EU trips, and there are chargeable extras for other countries, clearly set out to avoid surprises.

A Sustainable Mobile Phone Network

beaver and heron Holly Astle

Holly Astle

Meaningful Planet is a sustainable mobile phone network, which helps to restore nature. Transfer your contract to help, with a company that uses 10% of profits to restore our beautiful natural world and wildlife. The network runs on the same coverage as EE and includes free roaming throughout the EU, so there’s no need to worry about extra charges.

The SIM cards are made from 100% recycled plastic, and all SIM packaging is made from biodegradable wildflower seed paper. Just soak the seeded paper in a little water for at least 12 hours, then grow in soil, ready to plant outside in summer. Many wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends (read more on how to create a pet-friendly garden). If planting indoors, avoid facing foliage to face outside, to help stop birds flying into windows).

You can keep your existing number. If you’re under contract, there may be restrictions on changing (although if you’ve only just signed up, you likely have access to a 14-day or so cooling off period). Projects supported through their donations so far have included:

  1. Kelp restoration in Sussex
  2. Peatland restoration across The Great Fen
  3. Helping nature in north Yorkshire
  4. Rewilding of beavers in Northamptonshire
  5. Restoring seagrass in the Solent
  6. Oyster restoration in the Humber
  7. Protecting chalk streams in southern England
  8. Rewilding Strawberry Hill
  9. River restoration at Ickenham Marshes
  10. Grassland restoration at Gutteridge Wood Nature Reserve
  11. Reintroducing pine martens in south east England (this is the solution to the squirrel crisis, as pine martens are natural predators of grey squirrels, so help to restore numbers of red squirrels and control grey squirrels, without cruel culls.

Pre-Paid SIM Cards for Digital Poverty

Liverpool Gio's studio

Gio’s Studio

SimPal is an award-winning charity that provides free pre-paid SIM cards (of 6 months duration with 20G data per month) to people affected by digital poverty and those living with cancer or disadvantaged by poor health. Phones are also provided, if possible. It’s a sad fact, but mobile phones are almost essential in todays’ world, and staying digitally connected is for everyone.

But often it’s the most vulnerable people who get left behind. The service is not means-tested, so just apply if you think you or someone you may know could do with help.

Having people donating their old phones (Androids preferably that are factory reset to remove data, they don’t need chargers) helps greatly, as they can then save on costs of buying new phones, to just wipe and hand these out to others. J

ust send to the registered address at the bottom of the website. The charity can no longer accept Apple devices, due to fast-changing IOS affecting security.

Not having access to a mobile phone (or credit) can cause all kinds of problems. From everyday issues (like checking up on children, calling a charity if you see child or animal abuse) to having to talk on the phone for job interviews or even to apply for benefits, not having a mobile phone causes all kinds of problems, to keep people in vulnerable situations to remain where they are.

A Mobile Network for Nonprofits & Charities

Weymouth Gio's studio

Gio’s Studio

GoodCall is a mobile network for charities and non-profits. This social enterprise aims to reduce the digital inequality and offer mobile phones and line rental to save non-profits an average of 40%.

The service knows that it’s realistic to assume that most people communicate by mobile phone, and this service is not focused solely on profit, so is  geared up especially to help community groups and nonprofits.

Digital inequality is now rife, with organisations with little money being signed up to high-profit contracts. This way, nonprofits joining here can then focus their funds on what they wish to be doing rather  than paying high phone fees.

The company began after developing a mutually beneficial business partnership with a Scottish homelessness charity, and realised a great way to help non-profits was to provide expert solutions at cost price, exclusively for charities and social enterprises. Small organisations are always operating on tight budgets.

Since 2019, GoodCall has saved charities collectively hundreds of thousands of pounds, by only providing the services needed. The founders noticed that most mobile companies offer poor services that don’t give enough of what a small charity needs, or else then signs them up to premium plans, with services they neither need nor can afford.

This company provides an affordable middle ground, with ongoing support to solve any issues, so charities can best focus on helping their communities.

The GoodCall service presently operates with EE due to good coverage in most areas, and this is always checked to ensure you get reliable mobile signals. Phones, sim cards and contracts are all supplied if wished, with the option of a sharer plan (one lead user has say 100GB of data, and this can be shared between colleagues, to avoid having to pay for several individual data allowances). This works out more cost-effective, when you have upwards of five connections on your account.

Good Old Landlines!

retro telephone Liededrom

Liededrom

Norwich Cambridge Purple

Cambridge Purple

Landline services are being upgraded in 2025 to VOIP (voice over internet protocol), and most changes will be seamless, but it’s important to know what will happen. People will need a battery back-up or mobile if there’s a power cut. It will run on your existing broadband. If you don’t have Internet broadband (and don’t want to sign up), your phone company should supply you with a connection to support the new system, without charge.

People who use their phone for personal and security alarm services, need to check the device supplier, to check the system will work, or need to be upgraded. 

If you can’t read or hold a phone book (due to impairment or disability), BT offers free 195 directory enquiries, and registered customers also don’t pay for 1471 or 1571 (call return) fee (call for an application form).

The VOIP Shop offers a digital landline service that works out cheaper and simpler. Although some people are not very happy about the old system being replaced, the good news is that BT will no longer have a monopoly, so prices are likely to come down, and deals will be less confusing, as there will be competition. BT only recently reduced its prices on certain packages, because it was made to by OFCOM.

The system is simple to set up, works in storms and black-outs, is very cheap and you can talk for hours (including to people on mobiles) for one flat fee, so no worry about unexpected bills. Digital phone lines also have built-in encryption, so nobody can listen in on your calls.

The other option is to bundle landline with mobile, and even if you don’t use a mobile phone, this opens you up to more competitive deals.  At time of writing, NOW TV offers three broadband deals at around £30 a month, which includes use a landline as the service is delivered via Openreach phone lines.

How to Adopt a Disused Phone Box

London phone box Simply Katy Prints

Simply Katy Prints

BT’s Adopt a Kiosk lets communities adopt a disused phone box for just £1 which can then be used to offer something of value – for a place to store a defibrillator to a food bank or book exchange. Just email to say which kiosk you would like to adopt and they’ll review the request. If accepted, they will disconnect the phone and leave you in charge!

To officially adopt a telephone box, you’ll need to contact BT or your local council. They can provide the details and legal requirements, including any necessary agreements. It’s typically a straightforward process, but each step is crucial to ensure you secure the box legally and responsibly.

Once adopted, funding for any refurbishment and upkeep becomes essential. Engaging with local businesses, residents, or even applying for grants can provide the needed funds. Regular maintenance ensures these landmarks remain preserved for all to enjoy.

Consider the village of Westbury-sub-Mendip. Their telephone box stands as a testament to creativity, transformed into a mini library by the community. With books lining its shelves, it provides access to literature where the nearest public library might be miles away.

In Brighton, a creative transformation saw a telephone box turn into a stunning art installation. With painted glass and sculptures, it no longer serves its original purpose. Instead, it offers inspiration and beauty to all who pass by.

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