A Big Box, A library, and a lot of possibilities: Community Wi-Fi at Stratford Library
Tasha and her team at Newham Council recently installed one of Jangala’s Big Boxes at Stratford Library as part of our Our Community Wi-Fi programme. While it’s only been there for a few weeks, it’s already clear our Big Box is going to have a big impact.
Devices + Get Box
Tasha first came across Jangala through Good Things Foundation and Digital Unite.Her team had just started distributing devices through the Device Bank initiative, and the Get Boxes slotted in perfectly.
“We got 50 of each within a month,” she told us. “Most people were taking both, a device and a box.”
Even among those who already had some form of internet access, Get Box served as a vital lifeline. Many were either unsure how long they could afford their current broadband or found it wasn’t meeting the needs of their families, particularly in households with children learning, streaming, and gaming all at once.
For those in hotel accommodation, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, the feedback was even clearer. “The Wi-Fi is terrible,” Tasha said, “and they don’t know how long they’ll be there or where they’ll go next. A Get Box is something they can take with them. That mobility makes a huge difference.”
From Individual Access to Community Infrastructure
The Big Box installed recently at Stratford Library serves a different purpose, to transform a public space.
“We do a lot of digital skills training,” Tasha explained, “but the public Wi-Fi in the library is just… not it. People are already frustrated and intimidated by tech, when the internet’s slow or unreliable, it’s an extra barrier they don’t need.”
Sessions often involve downloading apps, using design software, or accessing cloud-based tools. And when the connection fails, momentum is lost. Even simple tasks like logging in to emails become frustrating.
The library also acts as a vital hub for those who do have internet at home but prefer, or need, to access services in a shared space, with support on hand.
The Big Box is currently on the ground floor, tucked near staff areas to ensure stability. “It’s only been installed for a week,” said Tasha, “so we’re still testing the best location. But it’s already making a difference.”
Stories, Feedback, and What Comes Next
Although the Big Box has only recently been installed, we’re already working with the Newham team to explore how it’s being used and what it’s changing.
Tasha and her team are looking to add questions to their upcoming research and gather both data and anecdotes from users.
“It feels like common sense, that better internet makes things easier,” she said.
At Jangala we couldn’t agree more. Every story like this one helps build the case for digital inclusion, and often, the most compelling examples come from unexpected places. Gaming, streaming music, applying for jobs, learning how to turn on a computer for the first time, it all counts.
When we asked Tasha why she thinks it's important to have something like Big Box in a public space, her answer said it all:
“It’s important, especially for local governments where we have financial constraints and we’re not able to support residents in the way that we’d like to. Jangala is enabling us to reach more people, support more people, and ensure that bad internet connection doesn’t hinder their progress in learning digital skills.”
If you’re in Stratford Library anytime soon, look for the purple box near the staff desk. That’s Big Box!