Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Hundreds signed up to help older people ‘spring online’
More than 1,500 organisations will give older people a free taste of using computers and the internet for this year’s Spring Online with Silver Surfers Day.
From 16-20 May, taster sessions will be held across the UK in a variety of venues from cafes and universities to libraries and pubs.
The event is delivered by Digital Unite, in partnership with UK Online Centres and Race Online 2012, the campaign to get as many people as possible online by the end of next year.
Although computers and the internet are an essential part of life for many people, a fifth of those aged 55-64 have never been online. This rises to three in five among those aged 65 and over.
Emma Solomon, Managing Director of Digital Unite, said: “Through our work over the last 15 years, we have found that the main barriers for older people in using digital technology are lack of confidence and understanding. All they need is someone to get them started, show them the basic steps, encourage them and make it fun. That is why Spring Online with Silver Surfers Day can make such a difference.”
Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion, said: “If everyone in the UK took the time to show an offline family, friend or neighbour the benefits of being online, we’d be very close to enabling millions more people to enjoy life online. You are never too old to get started with the web and Spring Online with Silver Surfers Day is a great chance for new users to find out more about how the internet can make their lives easier, cheaper and much more fun.”
More information about events taking place in your area and details of how you or your organisation can host an event can be found on the Spring Online website.
