Give An Hour

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Created on Monday, 24 October 2011

We live in an age when ‘digital’ is as vital and basic a life skill as knowing how to read and write.  Through Race Online 2012, I have always endeavoured to solve the critical social and economic issues that arise when people are left behind as technology advances.  There are still 8.7 million people in the UK who have never used the Internet, 4 million of which are societies most socially and economically disadvantaged – yet it’s impossible to imagine life without the web for anyone who uses it regularly.  

On 30 October the clocks go back and everyone in the UK will gain an extra hour.  But what does this mean? An extra hour in bed? Or the chance to change someone’s life?   Our latest campaign will run from 24 October - 12 November, and I’ve been told you’ll have to live under a rock to miss it. ‘Go ON Give an Hour ’ is a campaign devoted to inspiring, encouraging and supporting the UK to become a truly networked nation!

In a nutshell we're asking the 30 million people who use the Internet everyday to use the hour they gain to help get someone online.  There will also be a month of taster sessions available (largely run by UK Online and BBC First Click Centres), which Internet beginners can attend if they can’t find someone to help them and want to try it out.

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to our extraordinary mix of cross sector partners that have worked tirelessly to kick start a national conversation around the Go ON Give an Hour campaign and encourage everyone in the UK to inspire real online behavioural change.

High streets and local communities across the country will see the likes of Three, TalkTalk, Mecca Bingo, John Lewis, Job Centre Plus, Post Offices, Libraries, Unionlearn, The Scouts, Age UK and Wetherspoon’s pubs throw open their doors and encourage their staff to Give an Hour and show people how magic the web really is.   Local Schools are being encouraged to get involved too!
 
If someone you know is missing out on the Internet, they're missing out on loads of ways to make their life easier and more enjoyable.  An hour of your time really could make a difference. In fact, it could change their life.  I believe there is both a moral and social case for sustained local assistance to help offline residents across the UK develop web skills.

Anyone is welcome to join the thousands of digital champions who have already signed up to our network.  Please help by pledging to give your hour now! http://go-on.co.uk/giveanhour

I took up a hard challenge I am embarrassed to admit but I showed my father the internet. He is an academic and has resisted constantly! You can see the result here.