Gareth Southgate Addresses the UK on How to Stay Active with Tech in Lockdown

Gareth Southgate is the latest addition to the star-studded line-up of British talent joining BT’s landmark Top Tips on Tech campaign, to help the nation with the digital skills it needs to get through this unique and challenging time.

The England Manager will lead a health and fitness themed episode of the BT tech series from his home, scheduled to air on Thursday 7th May during ITV ad break takeovers and available online. In the episode, Southgate will coach the nation on using his quick and easy tips to keep active at home with some easy-to-use fitness tech that can help people of all ages manage their physical and mental well-being.

During this one-off training session, viewers can expect to see special appearances from the Manager’s England squad, including Marcus Rashford, Harry Winks and Ben Chilwell, who receive a video call from their England mentor. The players update Gareth on their creative techniques to stay in shape, physically and mentally, including toilet roll keepie-uppies and target practice using tea bags. The footballers also discuss how they’ve used technology to keep their team spirit up and stayed connected with each other, as well as their music tastes and social media habits.

Gareth’s motivational national team talk features tactical advice on how technology can help Brits keep fit and active at home during these times, including;

• Setting goals using fitness apps – set targets and goals to keep motivation up using health apps such as the Nike fitness app
• Staying in touch using social media – using social media or video calls can be an excellent way of staying socially connected, bringing you closer with loved ones you may feel isolated from which is essential for your mental wellbeing
• Other fitness tech available – tech Home Assistants such as Google Home can act as a personal assistant with built in workouts, yoga and Pilates classes, a pedometer or free training programmes such as The FA’s Train Like a Pride programme or the NHS’ Couch to 5k
• Sustaining your mental health alongside your physical health – mental health needs be treated with the same respect and care as fitness. Apps such as Headspace and Calm can help guide mental state, improving sleep and anxiety levels, or getting involved in fun virtual quiz or video call with loved ones can help wind down

As well as the various products and initiatives mentioned within Gareth Southgate’s Top Tips on Tech Guide, the England Manager directs viewers to BT’s Tech Tips to find out more.

Gareth Southgate is the latest to join the line-up of well-known personalities who have contributed to the campaign, teaching the nation a range of vital digital skills to help people connect with each other as well as access vital online services and information.

The BT Top Tips on Tech series includes:

• Getting started on WhatsApp and Tips for working from home with Clare Balding
• An introduction to podcasts with Rylan Clark-Neal
• An introduction to doing business online with Jake Humphrey
• Top tips for maintaining digital wellbeing with Fearne Cotton
• Tech tips for home schooling and Top tips for spending family time online with David Walliams
• Online Safety for Kids with Rochelle and Marvin Humes

The TV campaign is supported across print, social and digital media with ‘cut-out-and-keep’ educational guides featuring in national print news titles, and ‘how to’ PDFs available for free download online, for users to share via email or WhatsApp. All content can also be found at the website. 

BT is the exclusive lead partner for all England teams and the home of the national game, Wembley Stadium.

The BT Top Tips on Tech campaign was developed by BT’s advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi London.