We’re helping older and digitally excluded people to make the most of life in a digital world

Around 22% of over 65s still do not use the internet1. We want to change this, but we don’t just want to give older and digitally excluded people the digital skills and confidence they need: we want to help inspire and motivate them to unlock the possibilities of being online.

0 m

people in the UK are aged 65+2

0 m

people aged 65+ don’t have the basic skills need to use the internet successfully3

0 %

of internet users agree that the benefits of being online outweigh the risks.4

1Age UK Facts and figures about digital inclusion and older people
2Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
3Offline and Overlooked: Digital exclusion and its impact on older people (ageuk.org.uk)
4Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes report 2023 - (ofcom.org.uk)

Working with AbilityNet

We’ve partnered with UK charity AbilityNet to deliver nationwide training

More and more everyday activities, from booking a doctor’s appointment, managing finances, to booking home deliveries, are increasingly difficult to do without the internet.

If you know someone who would benefit from digital skills training, we’ve got the resources to support you and them in getting to grips with the online world: from learning the basics to everyday tasks and even the fun stuff too.

Created in partnership with AbilityNet (see box), our digital fact sheets contain everything you need to know about the digital world, whether you’re finding out new things for yourself or helping someone else get online. 

AbilityNet - in partnership with BT Group
AbilityNet - in partnership with BT Group

Working with AbilityNet

AbilityNet believes in a digital world that is accessible to all. They help support disabled and older people with using technology to achieve their goals at home, work and in education. AbilityNet has an amazing UK-wide team of over 300 volunteers who offer support to communities or on a one-to-one basis to teach people essential digital skills.

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Visit the AbilityNet website

We joined forces with 1966 World Cup hero, Sir Geoff Hurst and AbilityNet to inspire seniors to step up their game when it comes to learning digital skills. Surprising a walking football team Sir Geoff Hurst was more than just a spectator, he stepped onto the pitch to encourage his generation to tackle tech head-on.

It can be difficult to know how to stay safe online, BT Group research shows over a quarter of people over 65 (28%) receive multiple scam calls, emails or texts a week.

Alongside Sir Geoff Hurst, we want to help equip seniors with the valuable insights and knowledge to empower them to feel confident living in the digital world, without the fear of being scammed.

Do you know someone who would benefit from digital skills training? AbilityNet offer free in-person digital skills sessions, tailored to individual needs, to help provide people with the tools and confidence required for an independent digital life.

Learn more about how we've teamed up with AbilityNet and Sir Geoff Hurst

If you or someone you know is just getting started in the online world, the first step will be trying to understand the jargon that comes with it. However, with new digital words and phrases appearing almost every day, that can be easier said than done.

So, we've teamed up with lexicographer extraordinaire, Susie Dent, to help breakdown some of the most commonly misunderstood terms with the Digital Dictionary.  

Take a look here at the Digital Dictionary: you can read it online or you can print off a copy to give to someone who might find it useful.

For more information, hear from Susie herself.

Top tips for digital helpers

Be patient

Not everyone learns at the same pace, so it’s okay if it takes someone a little time to understand

Repeat

You might need to cover certain things more than once. Don’t worry if you have to repeat yourself, practice makes perfect

Time

Make sure you have plenty of time, so no one is rushed

No distractions

Try to find somewhere quiet so that there’s no distractions around you

Supporting the rollout of Digital Voice

The landline as we know it isn’t going away, but it is changing. By 2027, the old analogue technology which has supported phone and broadband services for decades will be switched off and replaced by newer, digital technology. The switch from analogue to digital landlines is an industry-wide upgrade and has already started in many countries including Germany, France, Australia and Japan.

Landline calls will be made using a handset in the same way as today and BT’s digital home phone service, Digital Voice, will see calls made over a broadband connection and comes with lots of features included like Call Protect and Voicemail.

Supporting our customers

We understand that any change can be unsettling. That’s why we are here to support our customers every step of the way, to make the switch to a digital home phone service as seamless as possible. We’ll use our partnership with AbilityNet to provide support in communities across the country and together we’ll develop a range of digital skills to help the older generation make the most of life in the digital world.

Visually impaired ladies with a mobile phone

Making life easier for people with additional needs

If you’re a BT customer, our Here for You website brings together BT’s wide range of products, services and support for those who need extra help in one easy-to-navigate place. It includes information about the newly launched Home Essentials social tariff, the latest accessibility options and priority services for customers with long-term illnesses or disabilities.

Visit our Here for You website

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