With the rapid rise in essential living items such as water, staple foodstuffs and petrol, and with energy bills rising exponentially, we are all feeling the pinch. But, with a savvy digital approach there are key ways you can help make some valuable savings. The webinar shares some hints and tips from experts, including outlining free digital tools and techniques available that can offer you fresh ideas for keeping costs as low as possible. Find out more at www.abilitynet.org.uk/cost-webinar

1. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help
Alex Barker, AbilityNet
Laura Waller, Coventry City Council
John Duncan, Virgin Media O2 and Greater Manchester
Combined Authority
20 September 2022

2. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Welcome
• Live captions during the online event – toggle on/off
• Slides, a transcript and recording will be made available
• Please use the Q&A window to ask questions
• Chat function is disabled
• Feedback form to ask any follow up questions post-event

3. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Who are we?
AbilityNet supports people of any
age, living with any disability or
impairment to use technology to
achieve their goals at home, at
work and in education.

4. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Today's speakers
• Alex Barker, Disability Consultant, AbilityNet
• Laura Waller, Digital Services and Inclusion Lead, Coventry City Council
• John Duncan, Digital Inclusion Programme Manager at Greater
Manchester Combined Authority – seconded from Virgin Media O2

5. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Poll:
Do you currently use digital tools/apps to help
make online savings?
• Yes, regularly
• Yes, sometimes
• Not often – I am not confident online
• No, I need help to make a start

6. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Digital ideas: cost savings for essentials
Alex Barker, AbilityNet

7. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Products that you can compare prices
• Consumer goods
• Hotels
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Food
• Travel

8. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Major sites
• Go Compare
• Compare the Market
• Google Shopping
• Kelcoo
• Trivago

9. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Some lesser-known websites
• Trolley.co.uk-comparing products in supermarkets
• Stonerefurb.co.uk - refurbished technology
• Getonlineathome.co.uk - refurbished technology
• Toogoodtogo.co.uk -buying food that would be thrown away

10. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Trolley - comparing specific items

11. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Refurbished technology

12. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Too good to go

13. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Financial apps

14. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Coventry City Council: Digital inclusion
initiatives
Laura Waller, Coventry City Council

15. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Laura Waller
• As Digital Services and Inclusion Lead at Coventry City Council
Laura helps to develop sustainable digital inclusion programmes,
helping residents to access services online, and gain confidence in
using technology in a way that helps them in their daily lives.
• Laura is looking at innovative ways Coventry can embed digital
inclusion initiatives with a focus on the cost-of-living crisis, working
with both internal and external partners to remove barriers and
improve support for residents.

16. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Virgin Media O2 and Greater Manchester
Combined Authority
John Duncan

17. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
John Duncan
• Digital Inclusion Programme Manager at Greater Manchester
Combined Authority is seconded from Virgin Media O2 Business to
Greater Manchester, where he’s supporting the Authority to ensure
fair and equal access to technology, connectivity and digital skills -
he is working to help end digital exclusion in the area for under 25s,
over 75s and disabled people.
• John also acts as a champion in communicating critical messages
on digital inclusion to the local community and stakeholders.

18. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Panel chat:
digital ideas
to help cut
costs

19. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Q1.
• What do you think are some of the issues facing those who may be
reluctant to sign up to online services in order to make savings?

20. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Q2.
• For other councils/local authorities looking to make adjustments for
improving digital inclusion, what initiatives that you've been involved
with have you found are most valuable?

21. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Q3.
• What digital initiatives at Coventry and Greater Manchester
Combined Authority specifically address ensuring equal access to
tech for disabled people, particularly during this cost of living crisis?

22. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Q4.
• Do you have any recommendations for apps or tools for getting
online or making cost savings that others may not be aware of?

23. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Open Q&A
Please use the Q&A window, not the chat window
Slides, transcripts and a recording of this online event will be made available

24. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Free IT Support at Home and online
• Factsheets, webinars and “how to guides” available on our website.
(www.abilitynet.org.uk)
• Helpline: 0800 048 7642 – 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
• Free tech support for disabled and older people:
www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home
• 300 tech volunteers who can solve IT issues either remotely or in
person
• Volunteer with us!

25. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Accessibility and inclusion training courses
• How to produce accessible videos: 21 September
• How to use voice recognition software for testing: 22 September
• Removing neurodiversity barriers: Don’t Disable Me training: 29 September
• Save 10% on training courses: discount code AbilityNetWebinar10
• Book now: www.abilitynet.org.uk/training

26. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Attitudes to Digital Accessibility survey
• Attitudes within businesses or organisations towards Digital
Accessibility
• Link available very soon on webinar page:
www.abilitynet.org.uk/cost-webinar
• And at www.abilitynet.org.uk/survey2022

27. Cost of Living Crisis and how digital can help – September 2022
Keep in touch
• AbilityNet newsletter: abilitynet.org.uk/newsletter
• Accessibility services: abilitynet.org.uk/accessibility
• Next free webinars: abilitynet.org.uk/webinars
• Tuesday 27 September: How accessibility improves SEO: discussion
with Skyscanner and AXA