Johnny Ball helps older adults unlock time through tech

Broadcaster and BBC TV presenter, Johnny Ball (pictured), has joined forces with AbilityNet and BT Group to help older and disabled people master basic digital skills.

Ball's support comes as new research from BT Group* shows nearly half of over 65s struggle to complete digital admin without help – including booking GP appointments or train tickets, ordering repeat prescriptions or online banking.

Older people who do not feel confident online spend 25% more time than other age groups completing basic online tasks over the course of a year.

And almost a quarter are abandoning essential online tasks completely because they find the process too complicated or time-consuming. 

Free digital skills training for older people

Ball, who made maths fun for millions, is today urging any less tech savvy older people to 'reclaim the day' by cutting the time they spend struggling with online tasks, and get online and improve their digital skills, admitting it used to take him “days” to do online tasks that should take minutes.

Ball recently joined a group of senior citizens in London to learn vital digital skills, as part of BT Group and AbilityNet's partnership to help older people and disabled adults boost their digital skills.

The training session comes ahead of AbilityNet's upcoming free webinar aimed at older people: How to stay safer online on Wednesday 28 January 2026. 

BT Group and AbilityNet are offering free in-person digital skills sessions for older people and disabled adults at various locations across the UK, helping them to build their confidence and independence online. Get help with basic digital skills including smartphone tips, booking GP appointments, online banking and more:

Book your free digital skills session

Johnny Ball's top tech tips

Ball also encourages his generation to embrace learning digital skills. Learn about his top tech tips:

The 87-year-old father of BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball, and grandfather to DJ Woody Cook, has revealed his own tech struggles as part of his work with BT Group and AbilityNet. 

Ball said: “For some, basic skills like booking a GP appointment or paying for your parking, using modern technology can seem daunting. I also feel that at times. It used to take me days to do basic online tasks that should take minutes. 

“I still need help to do some things. For example, for sending WhatsApp messages and other social media - I often learn from my wife Di or daughter Zoe.

“But the more skills you have the more confidence you feel, so that with practice you’ll find you will be able to reclaim much of the time you took grappling with an app or a website.

“Take it from me, digital tasks are easier than you think. So, like me, you will feel a huge sense of achievement and joy when you  get to the point of doing something new, comfortably.”

Gaining confidence online

The research from BT Group also shows how fears around digital safety are holding many older people back. A third of over-65s say worries about scams make them reluctant to carry out essential tasks online. Almost a quarter have difficulty trusting what they read online.

Others are held back by practical issues – such as a lack of confidence using the cloud (35%), connecting to WiFi (23%) and being able to set up a new device (20%). 

BT Group’s Responsible Business Director, Richard Marsh, said: “Johnny Ball has opened the world of maths and science to millions of children. It’s a privilege to work alongside him and to help empower those in his generation who are eager to embrace new skills.

“Our research shows that older people who lack confidence online are losing hours grappling with new technology. By enrolling in one of our free courses with AbilityNet, they can learn these simple skills, reclaim their time and not feel so left behind.”

Free webinar: How to stay safer online

Kamla's digital transformation

Kamla Parmar, 76, told how the several AbilityNet training sessions she attended have transformed her confidence online. 

She said: “Prior to my sessions with AbilityNet I didn’t do online banking as I didn’t have the trust or confidence to do it. I felt too old for the technology we have nowadays and that it was beyond me. I’d get flustered trying to move between different tabs and screens. But now it’s easy for me and the things that seem difficult are actually a lot simpler than you imagine them to be.”

Kamla isn’t alone, as analysis by Age UK** has found around 4.7million people aged 65 and over in the UK lack the basic skills to use the internet. 

Four in 10 say their lives would be easier with better digital knowledge, while 43% plan to take part in a digital training course to improve their confidence online.

The AbilityNet partnership with BT Group has now supported 13,000 people, with 5,000 benefitting from the courses this year alone. 

Book your free digital skills session

References:

*BT Group Research carried out by Opinium Research, 25th November to 2nd December among 1,000 UK adults aged 65+

**Age UK's report "Offline and Overlooked" - March 2024

Additional online support with digital skills

If you or someone you know is looking for digital skills support, AbilityNet's resources will help: 

• Attend an upcoming digital skills webinar
• View our bitesize digital skills videos for seniors 
• Read and download free digital skills factsheets
• Get step-by-step device guides on our My Computer My Way site
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer or call AbilityNet's helpline on 0300 180 0028