Sir Geoff Hurst urges his generation to tackle tech head-on

• 1966 World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst is inspiring seniors to step up their game when it comes to learning digital skills
• The 82-year-old delighted fans with a surprise visit to a senior football team, where he helped deliver a session on tackling online safety with BT Group and AbilityNet
• It comes as new research from BT Group reveals a quarter of over 65s receive multiple scam calls, emails or texts a week, but this generation are most likely to hit back and confront scammers over the phone
• Jos Dennis, 68, from Bristol City Walking Football FC says she’s hit a plateau with her digital skills and doesn’t want to be a nuisance when asking for help
• The event forms part of BT Group’s purpose, to help reduce the UK’s digital divide.

England football legend Sir Geoff Hurst is inspiring his generation to tackle technology head-on and learn to make the most of the digital world.

The 82-year-old teamed up with BT Group and AbilityNet charity to surprise Bristol City Walking Football FC, with a digital skills session, followed by a friendly kickabout.

Run by an AbilityNet trainer and supported by BT Group volunteers, Sir Geoff participated in the session, showcasing how technology can enhance teamwork and streamline organisational tasks.

Research by BT Group shows almost a third of over 65s (27%) are not confident with tech and over half (57%) feel like technology is passing them by.

Additionally, over a quarter of people over 65 (28%) receive multiple scam calls, texts or emails a week, with those aged 55-64 encountering more scams than any other age group.

However, the research shows older people are the most likely to hit back at scammers, with nearly one in four (23%) people aged over 65 having confronted a scam caller in the past. More older people have ‘told off’ scam callers than any other age group.

Sir Geoff Hurst said: “You can understand why a lot of people of my generation are fed-up with being talked down to about technology.

“We need to learn digital skills in a way that’s empowering, not belittling. That’s why this session from BT Group and AbilityNet with Bristol City FC’s Walking Football team around online scams was so valuable. I still receive scam emails almost every day, which can be worrying, and I know many older people feel the same.

“I use tech on a daily basis - it makes life so much easier - but I don’t need to know about TikTok dances or the latest trends. Like a lot of people my age, I need it for the basics.” 

The research by BT Group revealed older people are sick of being patronised over tech.

When trying to learn new tech from someone, nearly a quarter (24%) of over 65s have felt worried about appearing stupid. 

The same number reported having their confidence knocked by the person getting frustrated or impatient with them.

Jos Dennis, 68, from Bristol City Walking Football FC said: "Keeping up with technology can be daunting and I’ve often struggled with knowing where to turn to for help.

“The digital skills session we attended with BT Group and AbilityNet was hugely valuable.  Not only did I learn how to protect myself online, I also discovered how helpful it is to learn as a team and to share our experiences. It made me realise I’m not alone in wanting to improve my tech skills.”

The BT Group research uncovered that despite challenges, a range of positive insights from tech adoption among older people. Nearly half (45%) of over 65s have discovered new hobbies or interests online and 59% reported feeling more connected to family members.

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “Tech has become so entwined in our daily lives and how we communicate, work, and connect with the world around us. Older generations shouldn’t feel left behind, especially since having basic digital skills can offer so much independence.

“We are thrilled to team up with World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst to inspire more seniors to participate in our digital skills sessions in partnership with AbilityNet. These sessions are part of BT Group’s purpose, We Connect for Good, which aims to tackle the UK’s digital divide by empowering people with the knowledge, resources and confidence to live life in the digital world.”

With the support of BT Group, AbilityNet, a UK-based charity that helps older people and disabled people to use technology, offers free in-person digital skills sessions to people over 65 in locations across the UK including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and London.

Participants from these areas can attend a workshop or request a 1:1 session in their homes that are tailored to individual needs, whether you want to learn the basics with a smartphone, stay safe online or get to grips with the internet.

Additionally people over 65 from anywhere in the UK can join AbilityNet’s free online webinar on Thursday 6 June to find out how AbilityNet can offer them free digital skills support.

To find out more, visit https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/world-cup-hero-sir-geoff-hurst-seniors-should-embrace-technology 

^*All research is from an Opinium poll of 2,000 adults carried out on behalf of BT Group in April 2024.

About AbilityNet:

UK charity AbilityNet has more than 25 years’ experience of empowering disabled people through technology at home, at work and in education. In its mission to create a “digital world accessible to all,” it works with individuals, charities, and community groups to champion inclusive digital design, and its experienced consultants empower the private and public sectors to deliver accessible websites, services, and apps. The Charity’s Patron is Baroness Martha Lane-Fox. www.abilitynet.org.uk

AbilityNet offers free IT support at home and online to older people and disabled people via its nationwide network of 450+ AbilityNet Tech Volunteers. To access the free service, call the helpline on 0300 180 0028 during UK office hours, email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk or visit: www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network & IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries.

BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services in the UK and internationally; Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers - over 700 communications providers across the UK.

British Telecommunications plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about