Help with creating an email address

From 23 December 2024, we will no longer be accepting new applications to join our housing register as we continue our work to integrate with Sanctuary. Please visit Sanctuary’s ‘Rent a home’ web page to find out how to apply for a Sanctuary home. If you are already registered, your application will continue to be considered. Further information will be shared about changes to the process after 31 January 2025.

To access many online services you need an email address. Setting one up is quick and easy to do. The three most popular email providers that offer free email accounts are Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo Mail.

In the address bar at the top of your browser, type the address of the email provider you want to use:

gmail.google.com hotmail.com mail.yahoo.com

On the email provider’s website, there will be a ‘Create account’ button.
You will need to complete some personal details such as your name, mobile phone number and date of birth. These may be used to help you reset your password should you forget it.
As well as creating an email address, you will need to create a password so you can access your account at a later date.
You need to make sure that your password is safe and secure - it needs to be something you will remember but that isn’t easy for people to guess. The password should be a mix of letters (both upper and lower case) and numbers, and at least 8 characters long.
Some email providers will ask you to make the password longer than this or to include special characters such as ! and ? to increase security. They will advise you of this as you create your password.
Make a note of any security questions you answer as these may also be used to help you reset your password.
Before you finish, you will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions of the email service.
Now you’re ready to go! You can use your email address and send and receive emails at your convenience.
You can access your emails through the same website that you set up the account on and also add it to the mail app on any tablet or smartphone you may have.