BT boosts Challenge Fund by £25k

Digital Inclusion has been a top priority in BT’s corporate responsibility programme for many years now. We have three clear aims and we’re working towards three ambitious targets, set out in our Better Future strategy.

• Connected Society – We believe in the power of communications to make a better world. Our goal is for more than nine out of ten people in the UK to have access to fibre based products and services by 2020. More importantly, as well as providing access, we want to help people gain the skills and confidence they need to get online.
• Improving Lives - BT has a long history of working with good causes to improve lives. Through our people, skills and technology our goal is to help generate £1 billion for good causes by 2020.
• Net Good – Doing less environmental harm is no longer good enough. We want to be a force for Net Good. Our goal is to help customers reduce emissions by at least three times the end-to-end carbon impact of our business.

Over the years we’ve worked with many partners and tried different approaches to help people get online. One lesson which has been loud and clear is the importance of finding the “hook” –  an interest, hobby or other driver – that will attract someone who has never been online before, and doesn’t see why it is relevant to them. Something which encourages them to give it a bash and then providing support, skills and the confidence to continue that journey and realise the very many benefits of being online.

One lesson which has been loud and clear is the importance of finding the “hook” – an interest, hobby or other driver – that will attract someone who has never been online before

We all know, for some folks, it can literally be life changing – whether that be developing new skills to help find a job or change a career; feeling more connected to family and friends; saving time and money; or simply enjoying the pleasure of surfing without leaving the comfort of your own living room! I’ve been fortunate enough, through BT’s projects, to meet and hear about the real impact that getting online has made to individuals and communities – from unemployed people of all ages finding work, to young entrepreneurs building online businesses, to an 82 year old man learning to play the piano! So it has been great to see the SCVO launch the Digital Participation Challenge Fund and to hear about how organisations and communities across Scotland are helping others get online with the help of a little seed funding. I am pleased to announce that BT Scotland will be adding £25,000 to the Challenge Fund this year. We look forward to supporting even more organisations as they make a real difference to people’s lives by helping them get online.