Project iCare

My name is Mark Skelton and I am the ambassador for Talk Directs project iCare which was founded in April 2014. The aim of the project is to help the visually impaired community improve their daily lives with the help of digital technology, i.e. smartphone or tablet devices. I am very passionate about my role as I am registered blind myself and know only to well what a difference digital technology can make. If I didn't use a smart phone or tablet myself I would struggle to read a simple message or even write a short note. We have worked hard to make sure we can hopefully find a solution to help anyone with any level of visual impairment and have had some great success stories along the way.

In our stores we have an O2 Guru who has the technical knowledge on how to get the best out of a device so that people suffering from low vision can still communicate with family and friends. Simple options such as voice over functions and magnification settings can make a world of difference. They will also happily show people how to use apps that can increase the benefits of a device. For example, I use an app where I can download a talking book which is narrated by the author. On a standard phone I would not be able to do any of the above so making a simple phone call would be a huge struggle.

Since we started the project it has really helped people stay in contact and some of our clients have had secondary disabilities but we have always managed to find a solution for their needs. During the early period we have built up a great working relationship with Royal Society for the Blind, Yorkshire Guide Dogs and Action for the Blind. Our work with Action for the Blind saw Talk Direct be the first Yorkshire company ever win the 'see the capability not the disability award'. We currently visit all local visually impaired charities and support groups to show their service users just what we and technology can do to help them. These visits have proved tremendously popular and if you feel you may benefit from this service please get in touch.

Our main aim for the future is to continue working with these great companies and to provide support in our stores so the visually impaired can embrace technology so that it can help people in day to day life.

Published : 07-04-2016

Blindroid - Recommended Android App

Our 02 guru from Keighley demonstrates how the Android app Blindroid works.

Published : 30-03-2016

Apple App of the month - March 2016

Brendan our O2 guru at the Dewsbury store demonstrates how to use TapTapSee

Published : 17-03-2016

Mark Skelton is interviewed about Project iCare

Talk Directs Mark Skelton is interviewed about Project iCare on BCB Community Radio.

Published : 08-03-2016

Mark provides helping hand to partially-sighted customer

Talk Directs Mark Skelton helping others to see the possibilities of mobile phones.

Published : 03-03-2016

Talk Direct a big success at Sight Tech

On Wednesday 17th of February we were invited to take part in an event held in Leeds called site tech.

Published : 23-02-2016

Android App of the month - Shine Plus

Our O2 guru Adam demonstrates how the Android app Shine Plus works.

Published : 18-02-2016

Talk Direct Apple App of the month - Color ID

Callum our O2 guru at the Bridlington store demonstrates how easy the Apple Color ID app is to use.

Published : 16-12-2015

iCare to enlighten blind people with technology

A project initiated by a local O2 store brightens the lives of blind people with a smart phone which could be found in anyone’s pocket.

Published : 15-12-2015

Special Enterprise Scheme - Sheffield

I was asked to sit on a panel recently by Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind and Sheffield Hallam University, and help judge a special enterprise scheme where children aged 10 to 11 had to come up with a new device that could help visually impaired people of any age.

Published : 02-12-2015

Talk Direct's Mark Skelton visits the Doncaster partially sighted society

Talk Direct's Mark Skelton visits the Doncaster partially sighted society to help with other visually impaired people.

Published : 11-11-2015

Helping the Visually Impaired - VIDEO

Visually impaired Kimberly Burrows shows you how to take a photo on a ipad

Published : 25-09-2015

iCare Triumphs Again

A little extra care and attention to detail was all it took for Talk Direct to make a difference to Neil’s life.

Published : 09-12-2019

Practitioner Course in GDPR Success

A huge well done & congratulations to Shelley Race for completing and passing the Practitioner Course in GDPR with Merit!

Published : 26-07-2019

Rachel and Kasia get Pretty Muddy

Rachel and Kasia who work at the O2 Store in Worksop decided to take part in the Cancer Research Race for Life Pretty Muddy event this year. Both of whom in the last few years have had family members battling cancer.

Published : 19-06-2019

Fundraising Charity Event for Guide Dogs

Rebekah from our O2 Store in the Merrion Centre decided to hold a charity event for Guide Dogs which ran on Saturday 1st June.

Published : 30-05-2019

Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Trust

Phil from our O2 Store at Junction 32 has organised a charity Dentdale walk which will take place on 21st July 2019 to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Trust.

Published : 29-05-2019

Project iCare Tech Session at Rotherham Sight and Sound

An afternoon organised for people who are living with sight loss so they can get help and support with smart technology.

Published : 14-03-2019

A big congratulations to Shaun Sheppard our Business Department Manager

A big congratulations to Shaun Sheppard our Business Department Manager for winning our MD’s first Employee of the Quarter Award!!

Published : 01-03-2019

Mental Health First Aider Training

On the 19th and 26th February 2019, 8 members of staff from the Head Office Team successfully completed their Adult 2 day Mental Health First Aider training.

Published : 23-11-2018

Pink Event day at the O2 Store in The Merrion Centre Leeds

On the 20th October 2018, Sam decided to hold a Pink Event day at the O2 Store in the Merrion Centre raising £545.