HOW TO HOLD A TECHY TEA PARTY EE National Techy Tea Party Day

In partnership with:Age UK is a registered charity, number 1128267

On 9th September we’re holding EE National Techy Tea Party Day across our stores, in partnership with Age UK, and we’re inviting the nation to do the same. Holding a Techy Tea Party is easy. It’s just about bringing together people who want to get more confident using technology with those who can share a bit about it, over some tea and biscuits.

WHAT IS A TECHY TEA PARTY? At a Techy Tea Party those in the ‘Tech Know’ spend an hour or so with anyone who wants a bit of help with their tech challenges. This might be learning how a tablet works, setting up an email account or finding out how to shop online. Guests are invited to bring the kit they want to learn more about and the Tech Knows bring their devices so they can demonstrate what technology can do.

WHAT ARE THE GUESTS LIKELY TO ASK? Our experience tells us that during these sessions people are most keen to learn about:

Tablets - What they are and how to use them.

Social media - Creating a FaceBook / Twitter profile and being able to use it.

Apps - How to download and use them.

Skype - What it is and how to use it.

Emailing - How to attach documents to emails and how to use email on a phone.

Online security - How to keep themselves secure, especially when shopping and using social media.

Texting - How to write and send texts.

WHAT DO I NEED?

1. A space – this can be a community centre, a café or your front room. It just needs to have chairs, tables and ideally WiFi connectivity.

2. Refreshments – a tea party wouldn’t be complete without tea and biscuits or even cake if you want to push the boat out.

3. Some ‘Tech Knows’ – a bunch of people who are happy to share what they know about the digital world.

4. Guests – people who are interested in getting a bit more tech savvy.

5. Devices – it’s good to have some tablets, mobile phones and laptops to demonstrate on. The easiest way to do this is to get people to bring along their own.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M A ‘TECH KNOW’? You don’t have to be an expert to help people learn more about technology. If you have a mobile phone and use the internet, it’s likely you can help people who lack confidence when it comes to technology. Maybe you’ve shown your gran how to text or helped your dad set up Skype.

Lots of people are missing out on the great things technology offers. Holding a Techy Tea Party will help give people in your community a bit of a digital boost.

1. Pick a venue and time• EE National Techy Tea Party Day is on 9th

September and you can hold it anytime that day, or even at the weekend. Pick a time that’s suitable for your guests, maybe in a lunch break or afternoon tea time.

• Make sure your venue is suitable for your guests. Check it has comfy seats and that it is easily accessible.

• Local community centres, church halls, libraries and care homes are all good options, or if you go for your living room make sure it’s tidy!

2. Turn it into a Techy Tea Party • Make sure the room has plug sockets

and WiFi connectivity so you can connect the devices.

• Arrange the seating so your Tech Knows can work one-to-one with the guests, we recommend around five to ten couples.

• Remember the tea and biscuits – don’t underestimate the power of a chocolate digestive!

3. Invite your Tech Knows and guests Remember you’ll need to recruit Tech Knows and guests.

• Tech Knows – Agree your army of helpers before the day so you know you’ll be ready to help your guests - reach out to friends, family and community organisations. Promote it through social media by setting up a group on Facebook and Tweeting it to your fellow Tech Knows #EEttpday

• Guests – we’ve created some posters and invitations to help you advertise your event. Download them at www.ee.co.uk/ttpday Promote your session in the places your guests will visit. See if local cafés, shops and hairdressers will let you put up a poster.

HOW DO I SET IT UP?

TOP TIPS FOR TECH KNOWS • Show them the basics – just teaching

someone how to use a search engine and send an email can be a huge achievement.

• Work on a one-to-one basis and be patient: take small steps and remember to talk clearly and to go through things more than once if needed.

• Remember to ask both your Tech Knows and guests to bring their devices along so it can be a really hands-on session.

• Check out the resources that are available online for you to help others, www.ee.co.uk/digital-living, www.digitalskills.com and www.digitalunite.com have a range of films and guides available to download.

WHAT NEXT FOR GUESTS• Think about ‘what next?’ for your guests.

Here are some ideas of where you can point them if they want to continue their tech learning journey:

The Post Office All Post Offices have a database of where to go for digital skills courses and support, your guests just need to ask at the counter.

UK Online Centres This is a network of centres who run online training courses in locations such as libraries and coffee shops. Visit www.ukonlinecentres.com or call 0800 77 1234 to find your closest centre.

Online There are lots of resources online where people can learn, for examplewww.learnmyway.com orwww.bbc.co.uk/webwise

If you’d like more information on EE National Techy Tea Party Day or on how to hold your own Techy Tea Party please visit:

www.ee.co.uk/ttpdayor email techyteaparty@ee.co.uk