Older people can "Spring Online" with the internet during campaign week

"SPRING ONLINE WITH SILVER SURFERS' DAY" takes place in just over 6 weeks on 16th - 20th May 2011. This is a national campaign that aims to get older people using computers and the internet at thousands of events across the UK.

Since the inception of Silver Surfers' Day in 2002 over 100,000 older people have been engaged with computers through activities such as Wii parties, E-Mail and Skype sessions. This year organisers Digital Unite aim to make the campaign a week long event and even "bigger and better than ever before".

Visit www.springonline.org

1 in 5 people aged 55-64 have never used the internet, and this rises to 3 in 5 of those aged over 65. Often, the main barriers for older people 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! Holding a Spring Online taster session can really help.

Spring Online events can be held anywhere from sitting rooms to boardrooms, school halls to communal lounges, libraries to UK online centres. The main purpose of each session is to involve computers, the internet and older people in some way but each organiser has the freedom to decide how.

To celebrate all those who are championing better digital awareness by holding a Spring Online event, a cash prize of £1,000 is available to help with developing computer learning in their area or centre. All those who register an event will be eligible to enter and the winner will be judged on creativity, overall enthusiasm and the stories of how people are affected.

Emma Solomon, Managing Director of Digital Unite says: “Holding a Spring Online event can be as big or as small as an organiser wishes to make it. It’s not the size of the event that matters but simply that as many people as possible all over the UK who are not online are being introduced to the benefits and opportunities that the internet can bring.”

For more information about Spring Online and to register an event visit www.springonline.org. Alternatively call 0800 822 3951 or email springonline@digitalunite.net.