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Age Concern and Help the Aged are looking for an Internet Champion to represent the charity and provide a leading light for the estimated 6.4 million people 65+ who have NEVER used the internet¹.

Many older people never have the chance to use the Internet‚ despite NEW RESEARCH from Age Concern and Help the Aged finding that older people see the benefit of the internet‚ with three in four people believing it to be a useful tool to stay in contact with friends and family². The research also found that 61% of older people believe the internet to be a useful way of making savings on products and services.

The Internet Champion – who will be an ordinary older person who has embraced the internet – will show older people that using the internet is a realistic possibility for them and that they too can reap the benefits of being online.

The winner of the Internet Champion search will receive a laptop computer‚ a complete BT package including BT Total Broadband‚ as well as an all-expenses paid trip to London. For more information‚ please visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/it.

itea and biscuits week‚ supported by BT‚ offers older people nationwide the opportunity to get involved in technology 'taster sessions' at local Age Concerns and other supporting organisations from September 21 to 25.

Nancy Johnson‚ Technology & Digital Inclusion Development Manager at Age Concern and Help the Aged said:

“It is simply not good enough to accept that older people do not and cannot use the internet. We know that many older people are already online and even people not online are well aware of the many benefits. The Internet Champion will show older people that with a little basic training‚ going online is a possibility for everyone.”

Martha Lane-Fox‚ the Government’s Digital Inclusion Champion commented:

“I am delighted to support this idea -  anything that encourages older people about the wonders of the web in a creative way is to be applauded.”

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Foot notes

1. Office for National Statistics‚ Aug 28 2009‚ Internet Access‚ Households and Individuals.
2. ICM interviewed a random sample of 528 adults aged 65+ by telephone between 11th-18th Sept 2009.

Notes to Editors

The Internet Champion search

The Internet Champion search aims to find an ordinary person (aged 55+) who has recently learned to use the internet and whose personal story can inspire others. The search will begin on 21 September 2009 and end on 13 November 2009 with the winner being selected by a panel of judges from Age Concern and Help the Aged. To apply‚ candidates will need to fill in the Internet Champion application form which can be downloaded from www.ageconcern.org.uk/it.

Age Concern and Help the Aged

Age Concern England and Help the Aged have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.

BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. BT supports social inclusion by helping people make the most of technology. http://www.btplc.com/inclusion/ 

Age Concern and Help the Aged partnership with BT

Age Concern and Help the Aged have been working with BT since 2005‚ to tackle social exclusion among older people by helping older people get online‚ learn about new technologies and use ICT to improve their quality of life. In partnership we offer training‚ taster sessions and literature to help older people become digitally engaged. Our campaigns champion digital equality for older people and aim to reduce inequalities in access‚ skills and engagement which lead to digital exclusion.

Age Concern and Help the Aged and BT has also commissioned Opinion Leader to conduct research to establish what prevents and encourages older people to use the internet. The research found that many older people are aware of the benefits of the internet and would be willing to learn to use it‚ if they could learn in a friendly and nurturing environment. The research also found that older people were more likely to use the internet if they saw their peers using it‚ which is why Age Concern and Help the Aged and BT have come together to search for an Internet Champion‚ who will act as an ambassador for older people. For more information on the research please visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/it.

ICM interviewed a random sample of 528 adults aged 65+ by telephone between 11th-18th Sept 2009. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/