by Lea Gray
28. October 2011 10:00

When I saw the new BT research showing a whole 20% of the population has never sent an email I was, to say the least, surprised. The internet and all its tricks for helping you stay in touch with friends and family is something I can’t imagine living without. That said about 9 million people in the UK do and that’s why I, as part of the BT Get IT Together campaign, am asking people like you, who read blogs and can use the internet, to lend a hand.
In fact, we’re asking you to give the ‘extra’ hour created by the clocks going back this weekend to help someone you know send their first email. It’s a first simple step you can help them take to opening their eyes to the wonders of the internet. I know from helping my mum to get online just what a difference it can make. She’s gone from strength to strength - soon she’ll be teaching me a thing or two!
It could be a member of your own family who would benefit from being able to get in touch online, or someone in your community who could get reconnected with friends on the other side of the world. I reckon all of us know at least one person who would smile at being able to send an email to or receive a photo from nearest and dearest. And that’s particularly true for those who are already isolated or disadvantaged in some way.
To make it really easy, I’ve even put together a short video which you can use to show someone the basics of email. So sit your mum/uncle/friend/neighbour down in front of it and watch them learn. Easy as that. And don’t worry it’s not an hour long – only three minutes!