Get Online Week: Rory’s Story
The 20th – 26th October marks Get Online Week 2025, a national initiative by Good Things Foundation
to support people across the UK to discover the benefits of being online and build their confidence in
using the internet.
Why Does It Matter?
Our Outreach Digital Skills team has met countless people across several boroughs who are
feeling left behind by the rapid digitization of many services they rely on.
From banking to accessing support services to shopping, the expectation that everyone should
know how to use phones, tablets, or computers to get online and access them is leaving many isolated.
This is why our team of supportive trainers go out into communities across Kent to support
people like Rory by answering their questions and giving them the guidance they need to
stay independent.
Rory’s Story: Isolation to Independence
Rory lives with cataracts which impair his vision, so when DWP gave him a basic smartphone
to keep updated with his PIP records and communicate with them via email, he felt completely
discouraged and isolated.
One day, he met Norman, one of our Outreach trainers, during a drop in digital skills session
at a community hub in Maidstone. After hearing about Rory’s difficulties using the smartphone,
Norman suggested they work together in sessions over the next few weeks to find a better way
to stay connected.
Norman set up a tablet for Rory to use instead of his phone, making it easier for him to
navigate online. The larger text, zoom functions, and simple layout meant Rory could
access websites and apps more comfortably.
Each week, Rory learned something new about using the tablet and getting online. With
Norman’s patience and encouragement, he grew more confident every session. Before
long, Rory was reading his emails, communicating with the DWP, and visiting their website
to stay updated on his support.
After Norman helped him set up a way to get online at home, Rory felt a great sense of relief.
He could now continue accessing the support he needed, and with it came a new sense of
confidence and independence.
The Power of Digital Connection
Get Online Week is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of digital accessibility.
In today’s world, support like this is essential to live independently, so we’re proud to be part
of the work that makes these tools accessible to people like Rory every day.