Empowering older adults: How AbilityNet and BT Group are transforming digital skills

Younger man showing two older women a smartphone screenAbilityNet and telecommunications company BT Group have been working in partnership since 2023 to help improve the digital skills of older and digitally excluded people across the UK. 

Following research* that highlighted that people over 65 are more likely to be digitally excluded and be disabled or have an impairment, AbilityNet and BT Group's Digital Skills project began providing training in regions with the greatest need across the UK.

Key highlights of the first phase of the AbilityNet-BT Group partnership

During 2023 and 2024, AbilityNet's expert team of five Digital Skills trainers provided free digital skills training to support older people (65+ years) in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff and surrounding areas.

In Phase 1 of our project (in September 2024 we entered Phase 2), we supported 5063 people, through four different areas of work:

  1. 2952 supported through 1:1 and group sessions
  2. 453 supported through live online sessions
  3. 1540 people watching back our online sessions and Bitesize videos
  4. 1658 people at Digital Voice Roadshows**

Since attending the sessions:

  • 3 in 4 are more confident in tech
  • 4 in 5 are mode knowledgeable about tech
  • Over 3 in 5 are less isolated
  • 3 in 4 are more independent

Throughout the project our volunteers have been key to supporting this work and are continuing to provide vital support during phase 2. During Phase 1 we upskilled 25 BT staff members to support our network of 450+ volunteers. Join us!

“I never knew how to do certain things but now I do Zoom calls, Video calls, Group chats, great session" - Skills session attendee

Celebrity support for boosting digital skills: Sir Geoff Hurst

Geoff Hurst standing and talking to crowd with AbilityNet banner in backgroundWe teamed up with football World Cup 1966 legend Sir Geoff Hurst to inspire more senior citizens to embrace technology.

He also encouraged older people to participate in our digital skills sessions which are addressing the UK's digital divide by ensuring everyone has the knowledge, resources and confidence to live life in the digital world.

The 82-year-old delighted fans with a surprise visit to a senior walking football team, Bristol City FC, where he helped deliver a session on tackling online safety.

“The digital skills session we attended with BT Group and AbilityNet was hugely valuable. Not only did I learn how to protect myself online, I also discovered how helpful it is to learn as a team and to share our experiences.” - session attendee

Free online webinars open to all

From December 2023 to July 2024 we ran seven free webinar sessions which were open to all and you can watch back the recordings below, covering a range of topics, including:

We also collaborated with U3A (University of the 3rd Age) to support its members via a webinar series. U3A is a “UK-wide collection of 1000+ charities that provide the opportunity for those no longer in work to come together and learn for fun”.

Through the webinars, 329 u3a members were informed about tech topics and 93% of U3A members would recommend the sessions to others.

“Wonderful webinar. Full of ideas and info. Will rewatch, so much to take in. Thank you to all involved." - attendee of the Dementia and Tech webinar

Download the report and infographic:

The above article outlines a summary of the results of the project.

Results are also available as a downloadable PDF report and an infographic, including case studies of some of the individuals supported by the project:

Download full project report PDF

 

Download project outcomes infographic PDF

Please get in contact if you require the report in a different format.

AbilityNet and BT Group logoDo you know an elderly person or a group of older people or disabled adults who want to know more about using digital devices?
Benefit from free Digital Skills sessions available in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the East Coast of Scotland, Newcastle, Cardiff and surrounding areas.
Group and individual sessions available.

* 36% of over 65s don’t have foundation digital skills - Lloyds Digital Index, 2023 and 42% of over 65s have a disability - UK disability statistics: Prevalence and life experiences, 2023

** numbers add up to more than 5063 due to some people being supported in more than one way.

Two older men on a laptop with younger woman standing behind pointing at screenHow AbilityNet can work with your organisation
Working with partner organisations helps to expand our reach and support as many disabled people and older people as possible. 
Could your organisation's workforce volunteer for AbilityNet? Visit our Corporate Social Responsibility page to find out about how businesses help us. You can also order our promotional resources to share with your clients or in your community.

 

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