Spring Online campaign is set to give thousands their first taste of technology

This week marks the start of one of the UK’s biggest digital inclusion campaigns of the year.

More than seven million people have never been online in the UK, with 6.3 million of these over the age of 55, and throughout this week Spring Online aims to help these people learn about the internet and the benefits it can bring.

The event has been running for 12 years, with last year alone helping 30,000 people to get online through the 2,000 free events that ran across the UK.

Digital Unite managing director, Emma Solomon said: “Spring Online has made a fantastic difference over the years, helping hundreds of thousands of people take the first steps on their digital journey. Having access to digital technology and being equipped with the skills to use it, is a must-have in today’s digital society.

“It enables people to become more active citizens and more discriminating consumers. People with good digital skills are also able to research and manage key personal issues such as health, well-being and money more efficiently.”

Spring Online aims to allow thousands of older people the chance to have their first positive experience of technology in different community locations throughout the UK, from libraries, to London street markets.

The campaign is also supported by the charity Go ON UK. Its chief executive officer Graham Walker said: “Research tells us that the web has improved the lives of 86% of people aged 55 plus who are online. Yet a staggering 6.3 million older people in the UK have still never enjoyed its huge and varied benefits, and millions more do not have the basic online skills to confidently take advantage. Fantastic initiatives such as Spring Online play a vital role in highlighting those benefits, helping as many people as possible gain the skills to enjoy them.”

Research by YouGov and Sky Broadband found that over 55’s are active users of the internet once they have the knowledge and resources they need to get online. It was found that nearly two thirds of older people used the internet to access the news, a third visited social media networks at least once a week, and 18 per cent used the internet to book tickets online.

Many community places such as schools, community groups and churches will be opening their doors to hold free digital taster events, where older people can learn the first steps to getting online.

After celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2011, the campaign extended its event from one day to a whole week of activities and has gained celebrity supporters such as Dame Vera Lynn and Terry Wogan. All events will be free to attend.

To find out where events are taking place visit: www.digitalunite/spring-online