EE win Prime Minister’s Big Society Award for ‘Techy Tea Parties’
EE is the latest winner of the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award for helping local communities with their tech challenges.
Mobile network operator and internet service provider EE has won the Big Society Award for the tea parties they run. Guests from Age UK and local charities are given the opportunity to spend around 2 hours, 1-to-1, with an EE Digital Champion who helps them with tech challenges such as teaching them how to text, use an iPad or set up an email account.
Guests to the tea parties bring kit they want to learn more about and EE champions bring additional devices so they can demonstrate what technology can do. Since its 2013 launch, EE has held 68 Techy Tea Parties, with over 565 of their employees volunteering to improve the digital skills of 861 people. Techy Tea Parties have been held in 28 different locations across the UK and there are plans to further expand the project this year. EE employees don’t need to be tech experts – it’s about spending time with someone from their local community.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
Whether it’s creating an email account to connect with friends and family, or learning how to use an iPad, EE’s ‘Techy Tea Parties’ are demystifying technology and giving people the skills to get online.
I’m pleased to be recognising EE’s team of Digital Champions with this Big Society Award.
Olaf Swantee, CEO, EE said:
EE hosted over a hundred digital inclusion events in 2013 to get people connected to the digital world, and we’re delighted to have been recognised for our community efforts. The team will go even further this year, bringing our Techy Tea Parties to every store, office and contact centre across the UK.