Volunteering to help our communities thrive in the digital world
By Nick Lane, MD Sales & Service, BT’s Consumer Division
At EE, we're passionate about helping people stay connected. But being the UK's best network is about more than technology alone. It's about giving people the confidence, skills and support they need to make the most of the digital world.
That's why every year colleagues across EE and the wider BT family come together for the Community Challenge, a nationwide volunteering effort that supports the communities where we live and work. This year, 41 local teams have united behind a shared ambition: helping 50,000 people who need us most thrive in an increasingly digital world.
The challenge reflects some of the biggest issues facing communities today. From helping parents navigate online safety and supporting people to build digital confidence, to preparing vulnerable customers for the UK's move to Digital Voice in January 2027, our teams are volunteering their time and expertise where they can make the greatest difference.
One recent example came from our retail colleagues in Birmingham, who partnered with Red Lions Youth Football Club to support young people and their families with practical guidance on staying safe and positive online.
The team partnered with the Red Lions coach creating an opportunity for meaningful conversations about life online. Topics ranged from the content young people encounter on social media to the importance of positive role models and healthy digital habits.
The event used some of the educational tools from EE's Yes Boys initiative, which shines a light on the pressures many young boys face online and uses football to champion the importance of positive encouragement, confidence and healthy role models. Our research has highlighted the prevalence of harmful online messages directed at boys aged 11 to 16, reinforcing the need for communities, parents, coaches and organisations to work together to create more positive digital experiences.
Football coaches are often critical role models for young people and The M badge gives coaches the tools to educate their teams, helping young people believe in themselves and encouraging a more positive narrative around masculinity.
The connection between Yes Boys and the Community Challenge is clear. Both are rooted in the belief that technology should be a force for good, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to benefit from the digital world safely, confidently and positively.
Across the country, BT and EE colleagues are bringing that belief to life in different ways. Some are helping people develop digital skills. Others are supporting families with online safety advice, while many are helping customers prepare for technological change.
The reason I love the Community Challenge is that it combines national ambition with local action. Every conversation, every volunteering session and every piece of advice shared can make a real difference to someone's confidence and ability to navigate the digital world. Then, when several thousands of colleagues come together to do that, the scale of the collective impact is really significant.
I have always felt, the true value of connectivity lies in what it enables. It helps people learn, stay safe, access support, maintain relationships and discover new opportunities. When people have the confidence to use technology well, everyone benefits.
The Community Challenge is one way we can play our part. It's also an important contribution to BT Group's wider ambition to reach 30 million people and businesses with digital skills, tools and support by 2030. By working alongside local communities, schools, families and grassroots organisations, we're helping ensure that nobody is left behind as technology continues to evolve.
The Birmingham event with Red Lions Youth Football Club shows what's possible when colleagues bring together their expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to help others. Long after the final whistle of this summer's football season, those conversations and connections will continue to have an impact.
I'm incredibly proud of the colleagues who are dedicating their time to support communities across the UK. Whether they're volunteering in schools, community centres, football clubs or local charities, they're helping people build the confidence to thrive in a digital world.
And that's something worth saying yes to.