A pioneering new partnership is set to transform how older residents across the region get connected, combining cutting-edge broadband rollout with hands-on community support.
Telecoms provider Quickline has joined forces with Age UK in what is believed to be one of the first initiatives of its kind in the country—training engineers to better support older customers both in their homes and beyond.
The collaboration will see installation engineers, customer service teams, and technical staff receive specialist training to understand the needs of older residents, helping them recognise concerns, communicate clearly, and ensure customers feel safe and confident when welcoming engineers into their homes.
But the initiative goes far beyond training.
As part of the partnership, Quickline will fund a new digital support programme delivered by Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, aimed at helping housebound residents build confidence using the internet and digital devices.
Through home visits and tailored guidance, older people will be supported to access online services, stay connected with loved ones, and make the most of their broadband connections—something increasingly vital in modern life.
The programme will also expand existing IT support groups into more rural areas, including villages surrounding Beverley, helping to tackle isolation and improve digital confidence in harder-to-reach communities.
Simon Himsworth, Chief Executive of Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, said the initiative reflects a growing need for digital inclusion.
“With nearly half the population aged 50 and above, organisations like Quickline are interacting with older residents every day,” he said. “By investing in training and working with us, they are helping ensure those customers are properly supported.”
He added that digital connectivity is no longer optional, but essential for everyday life—from accessing services to maintaining social connections.
Quickline says the partnership forms part of its wider commitment to the communities it serves, particularly as it expands full fibre broadband across rural Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Rachel Bowerman, the company’s Social Values Manager, said: “We want every customer to feel confident, comfortable and supported when we connect their homes. This partnership helps us do exactly that—while also ensuring people can fully benefit from the connectivity we’re bringing.”
The initiative is part of the Government-backed Project Gigabit, which aims to deliver high-speed broadband to some of the country’s most remote areas.
As digital technology becomes ever more central to daily life, this partnership could provide a blueprint for how infrastructure projects can also deliver meaningful social impact—ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
