Online banking has transformed the way many people manage their money. It offers convenience and allows finances to be managed at any time and from anywhere. Typically, banks have served their customers by having branches for people to visit in-person, as well as providing an online banking platform.
While online banking has been around for some time, it has become even more important in recent years due to the closures of bank branches. As more and more branches shut down every year, people have had to rely on online banking to manage their money effectively. According to LINK, the UK’s cash machine network, there have been 1,114 bank branch closures between January 2022 and December 2023 (LINK). These hundreds of branch closures have forced people to choose between using online banking or being left without convenient access to their money.Unfortunately, not everyone has the digital skills needed to benefit from online banking. There are approximately 10.2 million people who are digitally excluded and unable to go online to manage and monitor their bank accounts (Lloyds Bank’s Consumer Digital Index 2022). This has created a divide between those who can easily manage their finances online and those who struggle to do so.
At We Are Group, our aim is to bridge this gap between low and high digital skills across the population, and ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to manage their money. And recognising the importance of digital skills in online banking, we offer free services to support people in their online banking journey.
Digital Helpline in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group
Our Digital Helpline, provided in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group, helps get you online through personalised training and support. By developing your digital skills and teaching you how to access online services, such as online banking, the free helpline can help you be more confident in everyday life.
You can learn how to:
- Use digital devices, such as laptops, phones and tablets
- How to open an email account
- Video and audio call family and friends
- Shop online for groceries
- Use price comparison websites
- Stay safe online
Digital Skills Helpline in partnership with Vodafone
Digital assistance and advice is available through this free helpline created by Vodafone and We Are Group. The free Digital Skills Helpline can help if you struggle with everyday digital tasks.
The training will teach you how to:
- Set up a digital device
- Connect to the internet
- Learn how to communicate with others using email and other messaging applications
- Navigate online banking safely
The Digital Skills Helpline is part of Vodafone’s everyone.connected campaign to tackle digital exclusion. The campaign aims to help four million people cross the digital divide by 2025 through free connectivity, affordable products and services, and digital skills training for businesses and communities.
This initiative has already provided free connectivity to more than a million digitally excluded people in the UK.
By providing these services, We Are Group and our partners are helping to ensure that more people are being given the opportunity to access online banking and manage their money effectively.
If you would like Digital Skills training, please contact:
Digital Helpline on 0345 222 0333, delivered in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group.
Digital Skills Helpline on 0800 987 4110, delivered in partnership with Vodafone.
If you are a business or organisation whose customers can benefit from a tailored Digital Skills services, please contact us here.
