Bytees Background

There’s a place for everyone in the Bytees community.

Get Involved

Close Digital Divide

Whether you want to master your own device, help others find their feet online, or support our mission with resources, there’s a place for you in the Bytees community.

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Join as a Learner

Build confidence using your phone, tablet, or laptop. Learn everyday skills like email, WhatsApp, online forms, NHS services, safe banking basics, and scam awareness — at your pace.

Sign Up to Learn
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Become a Digital Mentor

If you’re confident with tech, you can help local residents in a supportive way. No coding required — just patience, encouragement, and the ability to explain steps clearly.

Apply to Mentor
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Corporate Support

Create measurable community impact through hardware donation, volunteering days, sponsorship, and digital inclusion partnerships across Teesside.

Partner With Us

What to Expect as a Learner

Bytees is designed for beginners and returning learners. Sessions are calm, friendly, and practical — you’ll learn by doing, with someone alongside you.

A warm welcome

You’ll meet the educator and group, and we’ll agree 1–3 goals that matter to you.

No pressure pace

We repeat steps until they feel easy. You can ask the same question as many times as you need.

Real life skills

Email, attachments, passwords, online safety, NHS/GP booking, forms, job searching—based on your needs.

Support with devices

Bring your own phone/tablet/laptop if you can. Devices can be provided during sessions where available.

Examples of learner goals
  • Set up email and understand inbox, spam, attachments.
  • Learn WhatsApp, video calling, and sharing photos safely.
  • Fill in an online form and upload documents.
  • Spot scam messages and protect accounts with 2‑step verification.
  • Create a CV, apply for jobs, and respond to interview invites.

What to Expect as a Digital Mentor

Mentors are calm, friendly “digital confidence builders”. You don’t need to know everything — you help learners feel safe enough to try, practise, and succeed.

Your role

Guide learners through steps, encourage questions, and help build independence (not “do it for them”).

What you’ll do

Support basics like Wi‑Fi, settings, emails, forms, app installs, safe passwords, and scam spotting.

What you won’t do

No pressure to handle sensitive data alone. We don’t ask mentors to manage learners’ bank logins or private details.

Training & boundaries

You’ll get guidance on explaining clearly, safeguarding, privacy, and safe support practices.

Mentor mindset: “Let’s try one small step” beats “Here’s a long explanation.” Confidence grows through successful repetition.
Great mentor phrases
  • “Show me what you see on your screen.”
  • “Let’s do it once together, then you do it.”
  • “It’s okay—this confuses loads of people.”
  • “Before we click, what are we expecting to happen?”

Corporate Support: Positive Impact You Can Measure

Corporate partners can help close the digital divide while creating real social value — from employability outcomes to reduced isolation, safer online habits, and improved access to services.

Hardware donation

Refurbished laptops/tablets, chargers, keyboards, mice. We can help define specs and secure data wiping expectations.

Volunteering days

Staff mentoring sessions (guided), digital drop-ins, or “CV and job search” support days.

Sponsorship

Support data SIMs, learning materials, community Wi‑Fi hubs, travel support, or venue costs.

Reporting & outcomes

Clear impact measures: learners supported, skills gained, accounts secured, applications submitted, interviews attended.

Example “positive impact” outcomes
  • People can access NHS services and manage appointments online.
  • Reduced vulnerability to scams through stronger security habits.
  • Improved employability: CVs created, applications submitted, interviews attended.
  • Reduced isolation through communication apps and confidence online.

Quick Checklists

Learner: ready for your first session

Score: 0/3

Mentor: good support habits

Score: 0/3

Corporate: quick partnership checklist

Score: 0/3

Quick “Get Involved” Quiz

1) What’s the best approach when supporting a learner?

2) A learner receives a 6‑digit code by text and is asked to share it. You should:

3) A good corporate partnership outcome is: