A message of thanks to Deloitte Reading

AbilityNet's Engagement and Partnerships Manager, Denise Bailey, shares a message for our supportive partners, Deloitte Reading:

"A huge thank you to everyone at the Deloitte Reading office for your fantastic support of AbilityNet throughout 2025 to 2026. 

Not only have you given pro bono access to your lovely office and meeting spaces to my colleagues in the photo, which helps keep our overheads down, the many quiz nights, treasure hunts,  bake sales and contributions via the salary sacrifice scheme, have helped raise £17,400 of vital funds to enhance the lives of older and disabled people with digital technology, giving them back some freedom and independence. 

Your enthusiasm, generosity and willingness to give your time have made a real difference to the people we support. The money raised goes towards funding delivery of digital access projects by my colleagues like Angela, also based in Reading, who is an AbilityNet helpline co-ordinator and trainer, and started with us as a volunteer. Angela said the following to me:

"Every fundraising event and donation helps us reach more people who might otherwise be left behind by technology."

The impact is felt directly by our clients, including a 94-year-old lady who, by the end of my visit, was adding appointments to her phone calendar and able to check (what) was (already)in her calendar, with the benefit that her daughter could also see her upcoming appointments and events, too.

Also, a 70-year-old man who, having never used any form of IT equipment and had Parkinsons-like tremor symptoms, was able to use Alexa confidently to play radio, music, make calls and even control his TV (volume, channels and switching to his DVD player)."

Free webinar: How to access TV, films, music and podcasts online

These may seem like small wins, but for many older people the pace of technology means that being able to hear your favourite music on command or keep in touch with family, relieves isolation and loneliness, reignites a sense of belonging and wellbeing that improves their quality of life so much - a sentiment backed up by our super CEO, Amy Low who says: 

'Thank you to everyone at Deloitte Reading for your fantastic support this year. Your fundraising is helping to ensure that no one is excluded by technology. We can't wait to see what you'll achieve in 2026/27!'

Keep a look out for the next event and please feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more about how you can fundraise and volunteer for AbilityNet."

This photo shows the AbilityNet team at the Deloitte Reading office's entertainment quiz night in March 2026. 

As part of the three year programme of support, Deloitte's Reading team continues its employee fundraising activities for AbilityNet. You can find out more and get involved:

Support Deloitte's fundraising for AbilityNet

Get support with your devices

Find out more about the support available to you - AbilityNet's free online resources and a network of more than 500 community-based volunteers help individuals with any disability, of any age, to use all kinds of digital technology. 

Further resources

• Why you should choose AbilityNet as your CSR partner
• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Factsheet: Disability and employment
• Find out more about AbilityNet's free live webinar events
• Unsure where to start with digital accessibility? Speak to our experts for help.

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people. If you can afford it, please donate to help us support older and disabled people through technology