Virgin Media O2 Business: Boosting Digital Skills in the UK

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Connect More is an initiative by the company that supports individuals who are impacted by the digital divide
Connect More is a Virgin Media O2 Business initiative designed to support those who may be facing digital exclusion by helping them gain essential skills

Virgin Media O2 Business is scaling up its Connect More programme to help thousands of people across the UK gain vital digital skills. 

Having been in operation for two years, the programme is an initiative by the company that supports individuals who are impacted by the digital divide. Already, the programme has helped patients at NHS practices access digital healthcare services and aims to expand to offer digital employability skills training and improve individuals’ job prospects through enhanced digital literacy. 

Particularly supporting hard-to-reach communities, new pilot sessions are already underway to include training on tools like video conferencing platforms, scam awareness and word processing to help people create professional CVs.

“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,” comments Joanna Watts, Delivery Director at Virgin Media O2 Business.

Joanna Watts, Delivery Director at Virgin Media O2 Business

“We remain committed to supporting individuals and communities, ensuring they have the digital confidence needed to thrive in today’s landscape.”

Digital literacy in the UK

Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic launched the world into a further technology boom, it also exacerbated the issue of the digital divide. As more services went online, it showcased just how many people did not have access to services like the internet or handheld devices to gain access to support or education.

Research conducted by experts at the University of Liverpool, Loughborough University and the digital inclusion charity, the Good Things Foundation, found earlier in 2024 that 45% of households with children lack online skills or access to devices, data and broadband required to participate in today’s digital society.

In particular, the research found that families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and outside of London were among those less likely to meet this threshold.

In response to the divide, Virgin Media O2 Business launched Connect More in 2022, working with community organisations and partners to identify individuals who may benefit from digital skills training. 

“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.”

Remy Williams, Primary Care Digital First Facilitator at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning

The programme organises free-to-attend training sessions within local communities and trained company volunteers, which include senior technical experts from Virgin Media O2 Business, work one-on-one to help attendees learn how to access and engage with the digital world.

Improving outcomes for working people

Overall, the company’s aim is for each participant to leave with the skills and confidence to shop for groceries, navigate online banking safely and communicate digitally with loved ones, for example.

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. 

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Likewise, the scheme launched a dedicated healthcare support scheme in June 2023 and has successfully provided digital skills training across London, Birmingham and Manchester. It has been able to help local people confidently access essential online healthcare services, including the skills required to use the NHS app, book appointments online and manage their prescriptions.

Such services have already saved NHS staff valuable time that they can use to focus on patient care, rather than administrative tasks.

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 - the equivalent of two working days.

Since launching two years ago, the programme has:
  • Facilitated 312 volunteering experiences
  • Given 795 hours of support to local communities in the UK

"We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact our Connect More initiative has had over the past two years. Helping 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."

Joanna Watts, Delivery Director at Virgin Media O2 Business

The power of technology education

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.  

The company has been working with trusts and healthcare providers for a number of years now, helping them to adopt new digital strategies to replace legacy technology.

In particular, its ability to help organisations access Software Defined-Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) cloud-based infrastructure and cloud collaboration tools has already helped improve the digital knowledge of both staff and patients. As a result, Virgin Media O2 Business continues to see first-hand how updating technology and digital skills education has an overall positive impact on communities.

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