- Connect More is a Virgin Media O2 Business initiative to support people who may be facing digital exclusion by helping them gain essential skills needed to access online services.
- Today, marking its second anniversary, the programme volunteers have helped 369 patients at NHS practices access digital healthcare.
- Looking to the future, Connect More is expanding its offering to include digital employability skills training, to improve individuals’ job prospects through enhanced digital literacy. Pilot sessions are already underway in Wakefield during Get Online Week.
Virgin Media O2 Business’ Connect More initiative has today reached a new milestone, as it has supported 1223 individuals across the UK with digital skills training. Marking its second anniversary, the programme aims to help people across the UK who are facing digital exclusion by providing them with the essential skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Connect More works with community organisations and partners to identify individuals who may benefit from digital skills training and to organise training sessions in local communities. At the session, which are free to attend, trained company volunteers work one-on-one to help attendees learn how to access and engage with the digital world. While every individual has unique needs, the aim is for each participant to leave with the skills and confidence to shop safely online, communicate digitally with loved ones, and more.
Two years since launching, the programme has facilitated 312 volunteering experiences, amounting to 795 hours of support across local communities in the UK. These volunteers, including senior technical experts from Virgin Media O2 Business, have helped Brits gain confidence in their digital skills and improve their quality of life. This includes everything from learning how to use grocery delivery applications to navigating online banking and staying connected with loved ones via social media.
Patricia Handley, a Wythenshawe resident, shares her experience from Wythenshawe Community Housing Group sessions commenting: “I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign country anymore. I’ve now been on this app and that app, and I never knew what people were talking about. But now I do. I don’t think you’re ever too old to learn.”
Since launching a dedicated healthcare support scheme in June 2023, Connect More has provided digital skills training across London, Birmingham, and Manchester helping locals confidently access essential online healthcare services. This support has helped participants gain the necessary skills to use the NHS app, book appointments online, and manage their prescriptions digitally.
This has resulted in time savings for NHS staff, enabling them to focus on patient care. At Park Medical Practice in Greater Manchester, following just one Connect More session, the practice saw an increase of 352 repeat prescriptions ordered through the NHS app each month, saving an estimated 17 hours of staff time – equivalent to 2 working days.
Remy Williams, Primary Care Digital First Facilitator at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning comments, “The Virgin Media O2 Business Digital Champions have been an invaluable asset to the Digital First Primary Care programme and the Manchester primary care locality.”
As Connect More enters its third year, the programme aims to expand its reach to include offering digital skills training for employability. This expansion will support individuals in gaining the skills needed to apply for jobs online, with a focus on supporting those in hard-to-reach communities. The new sessions will include training on tools like video conferencing platforms, scam awareness, and word processing to help create professional CVs. This workshop content has been shaped by government guidance and in collaboration with local authority partners. It is currently being introduced on a pilot basis with one session already delivered in Reading, and additional sessions are planned in Wakefield during Get Online Week 2024, run by the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation.
Virgin Media O2 Business is committed to continuing its collaboration with leading digital inclusion charities to ensure a wider range of holistic support for those facing digital barriers. This includes partnering with Hubbub to deliver the Tech Donation Programme.
Joanna Watts, Delivery Director at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact our Connect More initiative has had over the past two years. Helping over [INSERT NUMBER] individuals overcome digital barriers is a testament to the importance of ensuring everyone has the tools and confidence to engage with essential online services. Our work in the healthcare sector has not only improved access to critical resources, like the NHS app, but has also freed up valuable time for healthcare professionals.
“As we enter the third year of Connect More, our mission is to continue expanding our reach, particularly into areas like employability, where digital skills are crucial for job opportunities. We remain committed to supporting individuals and communities, ensuring they have the digital confidence needed to thrive in today’s landscape.”
Learn more about Virgin Media O2 Business’ support for the sector here.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Connect More:
Virgin Media O2 Business’ Connect More programme is delivered by Virgin Media O2 staff volunteers who share their time to build digital skills and confidence, working alongside our public sector customers and community organisations. Every one of their employees can take 5 volunteering days a year, and all complete Digital Champions training to be well-equipped to help through drop-in sessions or workshops.
Additional quotes:
Kiki Zhang, Business Intelligence Analyst at Virgin Media O2 Business/Connect More volunteer:
“It is a truly wonderful experience to be a part of the volunteering team. Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of the women we have worked with made me realise how fortunate we are to have access to these IT skills and tools, and how many people are still unaware of the benefits they can provide. It is incredibly fulfilling to help bridge that gap and empower these women to enhance their lives with technology.”
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