EE and Age UK partner to tackle ‘digital exclusion’ with Techy Tea Day campaign
Communications company EE has partnered with Age UK to launch the Techy Tea Party Day, a nationwide campaign which aims to tackle "digital exclusion" among the older generation.
As part of the initiative, which so far has only been rolled out at local level, over 500 EE stores, offices and contact centres will cease trading on 9 September from 9.30am-11am to host events for members of the public who want to improve their basic digital skills.
Those who sign up to attend the event on 9 September are invited to bring along the device they want to learn more about such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop.
EE staff will help them get to grips with everyday technology as well as teaching basic online skills.
Age UK ambassador June Whitfield CBE has supported the launch by hosting a Techy Tea Party at the Age UK East London Computer Centre in Hackney to encourage people to sign up.
Lucy Hastings, lead for digital inclusion at Age UK, said: “Older people tell us technology can be daunting and they are not quite sure how to use it or how to get online. Age UK locally helps thousands of people in later life to get to grips with technology, gaining skills and confidence to use the Internet.
"EE National Techy Tea Party Day will give older people the chance on the high street to experience what the Internet can offer such as keeping in touch with loved ones, discovering new hobbies, and saving money by shopping around.”
Samsung is the device partner and Asda and Tetley have signed up as EE National Techy Tea Party Day supporters to provide tea and biscuits for all the EE events.
In April the campaign won the prime minister’s Big Society Award for its influence in boosting digital literacy.
Recent research from Age UK has revealed there are currently six million people in the UK who have never been online and 4.8 million of those are aged 65 and over.