Dixons Carphone has today announced Age UK as its new headline charity partner, and the two organisations are already taking action together to provide vital tech support to vulnerable older people through the current coronavirus pandemic.
The business behind Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse began the partnership today by sending hundreds of free laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards and headsets to Age UK’s Silver Line helpline teams, so they can maintain their vital support to older people who especially need support during this crisis. The two organisations are working together at pace to find more ways to help older people through the coronavirus emergency.
Dixons Carphone chose Age UK as their charity partner after it won almost half of votes in a poll of thousands of colleagues. Age UK’s mission is to give friendship, advice and practical support for older people and their families when they need it most, while Dixons Carphone exists to help everyone, including those who might otherwise be excluded, benefit from amazing technology. Together they aim to deliver digital support to thousands of older people, equipping them with essential tech skills, strengthening connections with friends and family and enabling them to make the most of the benefits of being online.
Over the next two years, the partnership will pull together the nationwide presence and expertise of both organisations, with a range of technology to combat loneliness, improve mental health, grow self-esteem and confidence and increase independence and community participation for older people.
Dixons Carphone Chief Executive, Alex Baldock, said:
“We couldn’t have a better charity partner than Age UK, especially now. We’re already supporting their critical service to older people during these unprecedented times by giving their staff vital technology and are working together at pace on other initiatives to help in the current emergency.
“Covid-19 is a threat to everyone, but to older people above all, to their mental as well as physical health. Many are very anxious at the prospect of being alone for a long time. We can’t allow that isolation to become any more difficult than it already is.
“Technology can keep friends and family connected, wherever they are, as well as keep us entertained, productive and healthy. Longer-term, our partnership with Age UK aims to bring the benefits of amazing technology into the lives of many more older people. But right now, our immediate priority is to harness the power of technology to fight the isolating threat of this virus, and work to prevent a physical health crisis becoming a mental health crisis too”.
Age UK Chief Executive, Steph Harland, said:
“Age UK is delighted to partner with Dixons Carphone to support older people, especially during this unprecedented crisis. We’re both committed to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access and benefit from amazing technology. Together, we can help older people to gain the skills and confidence to enjoy the benefits using technology can bring, and together we can make a real difference for older people through this crisis. Dixons Carphone’s immediate gift of vital technology for our staff has been a brilliant start.”
-ENDS -
Notes to editors
1The Silver Line is a subsidiary charity of Age UK
About Dixons Carphone
Dixons Carphone is a leading multichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating in nearly 1,000 stores and 16 websites in eight countries. We Help Everyone Enjoy Amazing Technology, however they choose to shop with us.
We are the market leader in the UK & Ireland, throughout the Nordics and in Greece, employing 42,000 capable and committed colleagues. Our full range of services and support makes it easy for our customers to discover, choose, afford and enjoy the right technology for them, throughout their lives. The Group’s core operations are supported by an extensive distribution network, enabling delivery to stores and homes, a sourcing office in Hong Kong and a state-of-the-art repair facility in Newark, UK.
Our brands include Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse in the UK & Ireland and iD Mobile in the UK; Elkjøp, Elgiganten and Gigantti in the Nordics; and Kotsovolos in Greece. Our Dixons Travel brand has a presence across several UK airports as well as in Dublin and Oslo, and our services are provided through Team Knowhow.
Dixons Carphone has an ambition to reach 1 million older people, who might otherwise be excluded, and help them benefit from amazing technology by 2021.
Age UK is the first major charity partner for Dixons Carphone, following its 15-year support of young people’s charity, The Mix - one of eight charities that make up the Royal Foundation’s Heads Together initiative to support mental health.
About Age UK
Age UK is a national charity that works with a network of partners, including Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Age NI and local Age UKs across England, to help everyone make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.
In the UK, the Charity helps more than seven million older people each year by providing advice and support. It also researches and campaigns on the issues that matter most to older people. Its work focuses on ensuring that older people: have enough money; enjoy life and feel well; receive high quality health and care; are comfortable, safe and secure at home; and feel valued and able to participate.
Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, supports older people globally in over 30 developing countries by funding programmes such as vital emergency relief and healthcare and campaigning to raise awareness and change policies.
Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity).
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