Helpful resources
It’s important to help your users – especially vulnerable ones – enjoy rewarding, safe and positive online experiences. Here’s a list of online tools, software and apps which can help.
Why not bookmark or pre-install them to help your users get off to a great start? We recommend you pay particular attention to the safety section.
Find helpful resources & websites
Action on Hearing Loss
Help users with hearing loss or tinnitus find out how technology can help
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Age UK
Help older users access targeted information and advice
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Alzheimer’s Society
Help dementia sufferers and their families access specialist help and peer support
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Asthma UK
Help asthma sufferers access expert advice and support including an online risk checker
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
BBC Own It
Help inexperienced users to think about what they’re typing before it’s too late!
British Heart Foundation
Enable users with heart and circulatory diseases to access peer to peer support and information
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
BT
Get school-aged children online with six months free internet access
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
BT Skills for Tomorrow
Encourage users to develop digital skills for both home and work
Childline
Help parents and carers broach critical safety topics with children using guides written just for them
Childline
Help children seek support through online articles, games and chat
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Childnet
Enable adults to download a wealth of resources to keep their children safe
Citizens Advice
Help users access advice relating to housing, benefits, work, debt and money
Citizens Advice
Help users access advice relating to housing, benefits, work, debt and money
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Cruse
Help bereaved users access specialist online bereavement counselling
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Diabetes UK
Help users with diabetes to connect with others at a local or national level
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Digishift
Zoom advice sessions from SCVO and Third Sector Lab, supported by Catalyst
FutureLearn
Boost users’ careers with targeted digital skills courses for all levels
GOV.UK
Ensure parents and carers can keep their children safe online during the coronavirus pandemic
Hwb
Help children access free educational tools and materials and the Curriculum for Wales
iDEA
Encourage teens to develop digital, enterprise and employability skills from the comfort of home
Internet Matters
Help adults manage screen time and keep children of all ages safe online
LLoyds Bank Academy
Help users to develop digital life skills by taking part in free online lessons
London Grid for Learning
Join the community of schools and local authorities committed to using technology to enhance teaching & learning
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Macmillan Cancer Support
Help people with cancer and their loved ones access information and support
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Mind
Enable users to seek mental health advice and support
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Money Advice Service
Enable users to access free and impartial money advice
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Net Aware
Encourage parents and carers to keep up with their kids using this online guide to social media, apps and games
O2
Provider of monthly and PAYG connectivity for smartphones and tablets
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Oxfam
Oxfam accepts mobile phones, check if you’re eligible for free courier collection
Rethink
Help users with mental illnesses to live fulfilling lives
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
RNIB
Help partially sighted or blind users to access specialist support
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Samaritans
Help users make a personal safety plan and track their feelings with an online self-help app
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Scope UK
Enable disabled users to access information and benefit from peer to peer support
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Service Recipes
Practical guides to help charities learn from one another’s services
StepChange
Support users to tackle debt problems and get their lives back on track
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
SWGfL
Enable users to explore practical ways to keep kids safe, including a child-friendly search engine (Swiggle)
The Mix
Enable the under-25s to access support via online chat, email and discussion boards
The Mix
Enable the under-25s to access support via online chat, email and discussion boards
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
The Silver Line
Ensure older users always have someone at the end of the phone for advice or friendship
Please note the above services are free if accessed via O2 during the pandemic
Thinkuknow
Encourage parents and carers to share age-appropriate safety information, whatever the device!