We had the opportunity to interview the remarkable best selling author, award winning poet and campaigner, Sophia Thakur - who has penned spoken word poem, ‘The Divide’ in partnership with Vodafone. The poem raises awareness of the impact of digital exclusion and the issues affecting vulnerable people with lack of access to connectivity. We sat down with her to find out more.

I see one of your passions is the ‘Digital Divide, and understanding the many different definitions and causes, how do you see the situation improving to give more access, better quality connectivity, and what do you see those on the wrong side of the divide are missing out on most, 

I think we all know the feeling of our phone dying and that sudden abandonment of the world. Some people live in that space. So many of our current affairs, trends, societal changes and new opportunities are revealed and carried out online. Being disconnected is being in the dark with everything.

Everyday actions such as booking a GP appointment, applying for a job or paying a bill are almost impossible when you don’t have what most of us take for granted. 

and what are the repercussions to those populations.

This creates and deepens the divide between those who can move ahead, make the most of resources and new opportunities…and those who effectively get stuck. Times change so quickly. The working world changes so quickly. The rules change quickly and if you don’t know…you can either break them or miss them without knowing. 

What drew you to work alongside Vodafone to create the poem

I didn’t know or even consider how the silent stories get missed to detrimental effect. I thought and still believe it’s an important message for people to remember to remember everyone. And with over one million households living without the internet, Vodafone is committed to connecting one million people experiencing digital exclusion by the end of 2022 through its everyone.connected initiative. I hope that, through the work Vodafone is doing and by raising awareness of the issue of digital exclusion, we can fill the gap and close the divide. 

What did you feel they, along with yourself could bring to raising the problem of digital deprivation. (I ask because I feel those without internet miss out on so much, education, communication, freedom of expression, and much more).

The everyone.connected programme provides people with a free SIM with 20GB of data a month, for six months – plus unlimited calls and texts, to keep them connected to the world. To reach the figure, Vodafone has a network of charity partners, including The Trussell Trust, Barnardo’s and Good Things Foundation, but of course, more support is needed as with each passing day we see the world becoming more dependent on connectivity.

How do you feel your poetry and poetry in general can be effective tool in removing social barriers and help create a better social and more inclusive environment of change for the better?

I think storytelling increases compassion in a community. I think telling our own stories helps people understand why we believe and act the way we do. Perhaps more importantly, I think telling other people's stories can bridge a gap between the silenced parts of society and those who may be able to help. Or at the very least, extend compassion. Compassion is the best catalyst for change.

Looking back on your career to date. At what stage did you decide that your poetry could be used to instigate change for good.

I was 17 and wrote a poem about domestic violence; it wasn’t my story but once I put it online I started getting hundreds of messages from women and children. They were saying my poetry helped them communicate what they’ve been silently struggling with for so long. Others said it made them feel seen and unashamed. Which in then led them to realise they were victims and should not feel guilt. At that point, I realised how important it is to speak the silent truths out. We never know how badly we need someone to do it first, so that we can.

Awards aside what level of success do you feel that you have achieved in meeting those goals?

I’m still trying my best but bringing more contemporary poetry into schools is exactly what I needed to liberate my own experiences. So I’m hoping I can do the same.

How do you personally measure them?

By how many people write a poem for the first time.

What will be your next big challenge?

Transforming the curriculum for good!

Vodafone is close to connecting one million people as part of its campaign to close the digital divide. To mark the milestone, Sophia has penned ‘The Divide’ an emotive spoken word poem that highlights the impact a lack of connectivity can have. To find out more search everyone.connected 

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