91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ launches First Click – a campaign to encourage people to get online.

In partnership with Race Online 2012, UK online centres, and the Post Office, the 91Èȱ¬ is launching First Click, a major new media literacy campaign to encourage the estimated 9.2 million people in the UK who have never used the internet to take the first steps to get online.

First Click coincides with Get Online Week, a national initiative which runs from October 18 to 24.

First Click aims to help people get online

Throughout the country, local libraries and community centres will be running First Click Beginners' Computer Courses to help people understand the internet and enjoy its benefits. For those who'd like to sign up for a course, all they have to do is ring a Freephone advice line, set up by the 91Èȱ¬ in partnership with Next Step. UK online centres in England will also offer introductory events.

Sir Terry Wogan, 91Èȱ¬ ambassador for media literacy, says: "From booking a holiday to researching your family tree or catching up on missed TV programmes, there's so much people can do by learning how to use the web effectively.

"I want to help reach out to those who have never used the internet so they too can benefit from these fantastic online tools."

Gloria Hunniford, Rip Off Britain presenter and another ambassador for the campaign, says: "Like a lot of people, up until now it has been my choice not to use a computer, but to communicate even more with my grandchildren I know I need to get up to speed! Keeping in touch with my family is the most important reason for me doing this, but I also realise that I could be saving myself money by booking things like travel and energy bills online."

The 91Èȱ¬'s TV and radio output will be supporting the campaign with programmes and activity to explain to audiences the benefits of using the internet.

Sir Terry Wogan, the 91Èȱ¬'s media literacy ambassador, launches First Click on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 on his Weekend Wogan show on Sunday 17 October between 11am and 1pm.

For a week, as part of the 91Èȱ¬'s First Click campaign, presenters across Radio 2 encourage more of their listeners to get online, or, if they already know how to use a computer, urge them to show a friend or relative how to do it.

There will be discussions and special guests on different shows across the network. Jeremy Vine speaks to a listener who he helped get online, live on his show in March, about how it has changed her life. He also considers whether the internet, with its power to entertain and educate, is a force for good in the world.

Steve Wright In The Afternoon is joined by his technology experts Helen and Olly, who answer listeners' questions about how to get online, and give their tips on the best way to teach someone how to use a computer. Steve is also joined by the Government's digital champion and founder of lastminute.com – Martha Lane Fox.

Alex Lester asks his listeners to share their stories of helping others to use a computer. Ken Bruce looks at how the internet is great for music lovers. Janice Long shines a spotlight on internet shopping, and Simon Mayo looks at how the internet can save you money.

If Radio 2 listeners aren't online but would like to be, presenters will be directing them to the 91Èȱ¬ First Click Advice Line on 08000 150 950 to find a beginners' computer course in their local area.

There will also be videos on the Radio 2 website – bbc.co.uk/radio2 – of Radio 2 presenters and other well-known personalities explaining how to do things, such as join an online conversation, or addressing issues such as online privacy.

In addition, Peggy Archer in 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4's long-running radio drama The Archers will learn to surf the web and 91Èȱ¬ Local Radio stations in England will be taking part in, or broadcasting from, special Get Online Week events.

Popular current affairs programme Rip Off Britain returns to 91Èȱ¬ One in November, showing viewers how to use the web to save money. The series follows presenter Gloria Hunniford as she learns how to get online herself for the first time.

Following the success of 91Èȱ¬ School Report News Day, this October local School Reporters in Scotland will work with older members of their communities, inspiring them to develop their own news reports and upload them online.

The 91Èȱ¬ is collaborating with partners such as Race Online 2012, UK online centres, the Post Office and Age UK. There's a dedicated website (bbc.co.uk/connect) to give beginners a good introduction to the internet and a new online tool, MyDisplay, to help people with accessibility needs have a better experience online. MyDisplay allows users to customise the colour, font and size of text by setting preferences for use across the 91Èȱ¬ website, depending on their needs.

A First Click promotional campaign on 91Èȱ¬ One and Two, 91Èȱ¬ Radios 2 and 4 and 91Èȱ¬ Local Radio, launches on Monday 11 October and features the Freephone number to call: 08000 150 950. Managed on behalf of 91Èȱ¬ Learning by Next Step, it will be open 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, from Monday 11 October.