- Bentswood Hub benefits from up to 2Gbps full fibre broadband for a 2-year period, free of charge, provided by nexfibre in collaboration with Virgin Media O2
- nexfibre, working with charity UK Youth, is offering youth centres across the UK free connection to its high-speed network, giving young people better access to education, employment and other opportunities where they can thrive and develop new skills.
26 MARCH 2026, HAYWARDS HEATH – In a bid to help young people in Bentswood, Haywards Heath build digital skills, Bentswood Hub has been connected to full-fibre broadband free of charge through a partnership between national youth charity, UK Youth, nexfibre, the next generation fibre operator, and Virgin Media O2.
The centre is benefitting from up to 2Gbps broadband services from Virgin Media O2 for the next two years. The wider initiative was set to offer as many as 1,000 youth centres across the UK access to nexfibre’s high-speed network. Now, following the announcement of nexfibre’s acquisition of Netomnia, the proposed network expansion means an additional 456 youth centres across the country become eligible for the offer.
With the lightning-fast connection, Bentswood Hub youth centre can support its young people to connect with friends, engage with their education, and prepare for the future world of employment. To bring this to life, the centre partnered with Hype VR to host a virtual reality evening in Haywards Heath, giving young people the opportunity to experience the benefits of full-fibre broadband firsthand.
The centre also has received advice and resources from online safety experts, Internet Matters, and information about the tools and controls available to help keep young people safe online when accessing the internet.
Anna Sharkey, Chief Executive Officer of Bentswood Hub said:
“We are excited to benefit from nexfibre and Virgin Media O2’s services here at Bentswood Hub so we can better support our young people.”
Helping young people to thrive
The partnership with UK Youth will see nexfibre offer youth centres across the UK access to its high-speed network, providing young people with the connectivity they need in an increasingly digital world.
Research from UK Youth shows digital infrastructure ranks among the top three most urgent financial support needs for the youth sector (1). Youth organisations are struggling with inadequate digital infrastructure and training, while young people lack IT proficiency and environments conducive to skill-building.
That’s why nexfibre, UK Youth and Virgin Media O2 are working together to provide access to high-speed internet at youth centres such as Bentswood Hub, enabling them to create environments where young people can develop digital skills, form meaningful relationships, and thrive in their communities.
Rajiv Datta, Chief Executive Officer of nexfibre, said:
“Digital poverty is a serious issue in the UK, and at nexfibre, we are committed to playing our part in tackling it. Full-fibre broadband is critical to broader economic growth by providing better access to education, employment and life-changing opportunities.
“Through our partnership with UK Youth, I’m delighted to see Bentswood Hub benefitting from our full fibre network, bringing essential digital infrastructure to the local community. By investing in the next generation, we’re providing them the tools they need to thrive in a modern economy.”
Rosie Ferguson OBE, Chief Executive Officer of UK Youth said:
“We are really pleased that nexfibre is bringing enhanced connectivity and digital access to Bentswood Hub, as part of our partnership. Digital poverty remains a significant problem across the UK, and prevents youth organisations such as Bentswood Hub from fully addressing the needs of the young people they serve. We look forward to seeing this partnership empower the next generation of Bentswood, Haywards Heath, ensuring they can thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
“We know how important is to be connected, and that’s why we’re proudly providing Virgin Media O2’s gigabit broadband to Bentswood Hub for free.
“This lightning-fast connection will help young people in Bentswood, Haywards Heath to get online, get help with their homework and build digital skills – helping them to thrive now and in the future.”
Notes to editors
- Full research from UK Youth can be found (1) here
About nexfibre
- nexfibre is a joint venture between InfraVia Capital Partners, Liberty Global and Telefónica and is financed with £4.5 billion of equity and debt investment, to bring full fibre millions if previously underserved premises, in suburban and semi-rural areas across the UK.
- nexfibre and Virgin Media O2 together are offering to connect youth organisations across the UK to its network with a minimum of 1Gbps full-fibre broadband (scope to upgrade to 2Gbps and increase the number of access points where needed) for a 2-year period free of charge.
- Virgin Media O2 is nexfibre’s anchor wholesale tenant ISP.
- nexfibre intends to make its network available to other internet service providers.
- Additionally, nexfibre and Virgin Media O2 together intend to wholesale their networks to other internet service providers creating a national-scale operator, boosting choice and competition in the market.
- nexfibre’s partnership with UK Youth is part of its commitment to transform access to broadband across the country, be a responsible stakeholder to the people and communities it serves, and help the UK realise its digital potential.
About Virgin Media O2
- Virgin Media O2 launched on 1 June 2021, combining the UK’s largest and most reliable mobile network with a fully gigabit broadband network.
- The company has around 45 million UK connections across its award-winning broadband, mobile, TV and home phone services. Its fixed network covers more than half of the country (18.8m premises serviceable) alongside a mobile network that covers 99% of the nation’s population. The company is on track to bring 5G to all populated areas by end 2030 and already offers 5G outdoor coverage to more than 87% of the UK population.
- Virgin Media O2 is upgrading its fixed network to full fibre to the premises. Its shareholders and investment firm InfraVia Capital Partners, through a joint venture called nexfibre, are investing to build fibre to 2.5 million homes and businesses not currently served by Virgin Media O2’s network by the end of 2025. As a wholesale customer of this network, Virgin Media O2’s total footprint will reach around 80% of the UK once build and upgrade work is completed.
- Through its B2B venture, O2 Daisy, the company plays a leading role supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, enterprises and the public sector with their digital transformation through a range of connectivity, security, cloud and tailor-made services. It is also the network of choice for mobile virtual network operators giffgaff and Sky Mobile, as well as managing a 50:50 joint venture with Tesco for Tesco Mobile.
- The company is committed to using the power of connectivity to make its better for people and the planet, taking action to close the digital divide and building an inclusive, resilient, and low carbon economy. The business has set an ambitious commitment to achieve net zero carbon across its operations, products and supply chain by the end of 2040.
- Virgin Media O2 is a 50:50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica SA, and one of the UK’s largest businesses. Virgin Media O2 is registered in England and Wales. Registration number: 12580944. Virgin Media O2 Limited, 500 Brook Drive, Reading, RG2 6UU.
About UK Youth
- UK Youth provides funding, resources, training and support to a network of over 8,000 Youth organisations.
- UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives.
- UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org
- UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch.
- For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes
About Bentswood Hub
- Bentswood Hub provides non-faith-based youth groups for young people age 7-18 years, emotional support groups for girls age 12-15 years, training and work experience opportunities for young people, and other community-based support services.