Wanted – web heroes

By Liz Williams - Head of CR - BT Retail

Helping people make the most of communications technology is what BT does and we know some customers need extra encouragement to try out new technology.  That’s why last year we provided Age UK (the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged) with financial support to launch its first Internet Champion of the Year Awards.  There are so many award schemes out there but this one is one quite close to my heart as it recognises the efforts of ‘ordinary’ people who have inspired others to discover a whole new world online.

Looking for a champion

So I wanted to let you know that BT and Age UK have begun the search for the 2011 Internet Champion. If you are 55 or over and use the internet to get the most from life, or if you know someone that fits the bill, then why not tell us your story and help to show others how using the internet can be life-changing? To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do to is nominate yourself or someone else who you think is deserving of the title of 2011 Age UK Internet Champion of the Year.

This year’s theme is ‘how the internet changed my life’ and we are looking for inspiring stories about real differences and benefits people have experienced by being online. Apart from the glory, the prizes are great.   

The winner and runners-up get an all expenses-paid trip to London for three days and two nights, including a 'money can’t buy' visit to the BT Tower for the exclusive award ceremony (the 34^th floor offers some simply amazing views of London), a ‘London experience’ day out and BT is also throwing in a year’s free BT Total Broadband and some other technology goodies. The Age UK Internet Champion will work alongside Age UK for a whole year, acting as an ambassador for digital inclusion in later life.

You can nominate at:  Age UK's Internet Champion of the Year 2011 website until Tuesday, 30^th November 2010.

On the shortlist

The finalists will be shortlisted by Age UK with the involvement of the current champions, Lucy Berry and Frederick Briggs, and I’m rather delighted to have been asked to be one of the judges.

 I’ll be working with Tom Wright (he’s the chief executive of Age UK), Helen Milner (she’s managing director of UK Online Centres, another organisation the team at BT really supports - they do amazing work helping people get online), and Martha Lane-Fox (I’m sure you’ve heard of Martha; she launched lastminute.com and is the UK’s digital inclusion champion). 

And the winner will be invited to join Martha’s Race Online 2012 People’s Taskforce.

If you can’t think of anyone to enter for the Age UK 2011 Internet Champion of the Year, (or even if you can), if you know someone who is yet to discover life online, why not log onto www.bt.com/getITtogether where you’ll find all the tools you need to help you help them have a go.  You can even enter a competition to win a laptop for you and a friend, with a free starter pack of wireless broadband.

Thanks

Liz

PS:  If you know someone from the younger generation who is equally inspirational in encouraging others to get online, check out BT Internet Rangers. It’s designed to recognise those young people who help others get online.