News

The Bristol Tea and Tech Outreach project will wind down at the end of March 2026, following a successful three-year programme that supported over 300 older people across north Bristol to build digital skills and confidence.

Delivered by North Bristol Advice Centre (NBAC) as part of its long-standing digital inclusion work, Bristol Tea and Tech drop-ins offered older people one-to-one support in accessible, community-based settings. Trained volunteers were on hand to support people to learn at their own pace to get online, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to do what matters most to them.

“We are sad to say goodbye to all the people we have supported,” said Nicola Green, NBAC’s Digital Development Worker, “A big thank you to all our volunteers who have given their time and support.  All our clients were so thankful for their patience, and I know the communities we have visited will miss them.”

Over the course of the project, 309 older people received one-to-one support to develop digital skills and confidence. A total of 330 drop-in sessions were delivered across 17 different locations, with a footfall of 1,466.  Monitoring showed an increase in both digital confidence and community connections among participants. The programme was funded by St Monica’s Trust over three years, with additional support from the Access Foundation, allowing us to extend the project to the end of March 2026.

One of the central aims of the outreach project was to reach those most excluded and better understand the barriers to engaging with digital learning. Key insights highlight important learning for organisations, funders, and service providers seeking to address digital exclusion:

• Among regular attendees, the primary barrier to digital engagement was lack of basic navigation skills, not lack of interest or willingness to learn.
• Fear of scams and concerns around online banking remain significant obstacles to digital engagement.
• Broadband and mobile tariffs were confusing for many, highlighting a need for providers to improve clarity and transparency.
• Communication apps play a vital role in helping older people maintain social connections and reducing isolation.
• Donated or outdated devices are often unsuitable; older people benefit most from up-to-date technology chosen to meet their needs.
• In less affluent communities, digital skills were often deprioritised due to competing financial pressures, with challenges viewed as one-off issues that could be dealt with by family or friends, rather than skills to build over time.
• Where clear learning needs exist, sustained and ongoing support is crucial to building confidence and helping people fully realise the potential of digital tools.

“With digitisation reaching all parts of life, it’s up to all services to take steps to tackle digital exclusion,” said Katherine Tanko, Director of North Bristol Advice Centre. “Not everyone is online, or has a smartphone, and services must make provision for those facing digital barriers when designing how people access support.”

The close of Bristol Tea and Tech brings an end of North Bristol Advice Centre’s Digital Inclusion work, which it has been delivering since 2012. This has included computer courses for older people, support with online form filling, a long-running weekly drop-in in Lockleaze, and the Bristol Tea and Tech outreach project.