Free help to access vital services, and more...

With so many of us self-isolating or confined to our homes, it’s never been more important that people with low or no digital skills can keep in touch with family and friends and access vital health services, learn how to manage money online, and access benefits.

Millions of people will be feeling frightened - not just about the safety and wellbeing of their family and friends - but how to pay the rent cheque and afford basic supplies.

The spread of the virus also presents significant challenges to small businesses. Many will suffer, facing unprecedented hardship.

There are other challenges, too. Families with children at home from school now need to find ways to help their children stay safe, healthy and happy. Many parents and guardians will want to ensure the young minds in their care continue to learn, explore and play. It’s not easy.

And many people will need support as they work from home for the first time. A huge proportion of people haven’t used video conferencing before, or needed to run their life from a phone or a laptop.

Easy access to easy-to-use information is what is needed here – from someone you trust. In my view, BT is a good place to start. One of the reasons I joined BT is because of the trust I place in the company. BT has been connecting us for generations. It started life in the 1840s when its parent company became the world’s first public telegraph company. Fast forward to my childhood, and I have fond memories of Buzby, the talking bird, Maureen Lipman’s granny Beattie, and Bob Hoskins reminding us ‘it’s good to talk.’ BT has always been in my life, like the BBC and The Queen.

In times of crisis, it’s important I think to have people and places you can turn to. The free resources BT has pulled together into Skills for Tomorrow can help people in real and practical ways.   

And this is where you come in. I hope you can help.

Do you know older or vulnerable people who don’t have the digital skills they need to stay in touch with family and friends? Or who need help to contact their GP online?

We need you to share the support available from our partners the Good Things Foundation, in the ‘accessing public services’ section of Skills for Tomorrow.

Perhaps you’re worried about a friend who runs a small business.

Tell them about our work with Small Business Britain and Google Digital Garage  – and spread the word about our regular webinars, which will help people to take their business online. We’re adding new content all the time to our busy virtual events programme – please do share it with anyone you think would benefit.

Do you know parents desperately trying to keep their kids entertained and educated at home?

Let them know about our handy resources that will keep kids learning, and safe, while schools are closed, and our work with Internet Matters to help parents navigate the difficult world of online safety. All available on Skills for Tomorrow.

Or maybe you’re finding yourself working from home for the first time? How are you going to stay productive outside your usual workplace?

We’ve selected what we think are some of the best tips to help with this - by LinkedIn Learning and Google Digital Garage. These will help you build your digital skills and work online effectively wherever you are. We’ve put them in one easy-to-find place here on Skills for Tomorrow.

BT is connecting homes, businesses and families across the UK, and has developed a range of free benefits to help communities.   One of the ways we want to help make real social impact is to use technology as a force for good in these challenging times 

It has been incredible to see the way that people have responded as the coronavirus spreads. The kindness that people are showing to their neighbours and through online networks. I’m sure if you have got this far down my article you are likely to be one of those lovely people who have helped others.

I’d be really grateful if you could now also help us to get the vital support from Skills for Tomorrow to people who need it, right now, and in the coming days.

By Professor Kerensa Jennings, Digital Impact Director at BT

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