Around 12,000 people made the second national Get online day their excuse to get onto the internet and try something new online. Get online day, which is run by UK online centres, took place at the end of October as part of Family Learning Festival and targeted the one in three adults in the country who still don’t use computers and the internet.

There were more than 500 events running at UK online centres up and down England, offering techno-phobe parents, grandparents, and carers – and even aunts and uncles – the chance to find out how getting online could help them and the rest of the family in everyday life.  Whether it was a very first taste of the internet, a first email or a first online shopping trip, families of all shapes and sizes took up the Get online day challenge.

UK online centres have just completed a survey which questioned both participating centres and visitors who came through the doors on the day.  Nearly everyone who went along to an event – 96% – enjoyed the day, with a full 99% determined to keep on using the internet in the future.  At UK online centres, 84% of event-holders said the Get online day campaign had helped them attract new customers, and 97% said they’d be signing up for a Get online day mark III.

Get online day 2008 was backed by a whole host of sponsors – Campaign for Learning, Becta, the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, Directgov, Ofcom and TalkTalk.  All wanted to see more people take advantage of all the benefits the internet can provide.

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres, explains:  “The fact that a third of the population still don’t, won’t or can’t use computers and the internet might seem incredible to some, but with technology moving so fast it’s actually easy for anyone to get left behind.  This year’s campaign was all about trying something new online, and I’m delighted that so many people challenged themselves and their families by doing just that.”

One Get online day visitor now enjoying his new computer skills is 85 year-old Robert Booth, who went along to an event at Benchill Community Centre in Greater Manchester.  He was given a computer by his son, but decided he needed a bit of help getting to grips with it all.  Get online day came along at just the right time.

He says:  “I knew that I needed to get the best instructions on how to use a computer properly.  Get online day seemed like the perfect introduction!  I went along and it was all very welcoming.  I met Steve, the tutor, who was very supportive and incredibly patient, and to my surprise I actually found it all very easy.”

Robert was so impressed, he decided to attend regular courses to learn more about how the internet could help him keep in touch with his son, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

“I was beginning to think I was falling behind with modern technology,” he admits.  “Even my four-year-old great-granddaughter Sophie knew more than I did!  Now I’ve worked out how to email, and I’ve also got a Skype unit which is just amazing – you can see the people you’re talking to on your computer screen, wherever they are in the world.  It’s fantastic that I can talk to my family about computers and the internet and understand what they’re talking about instead of just looking at them blankly.  But primarily, it’s keeping my mind lively.  You’re never too old to learn, and I’d encourage everybody to get involved.”

Helen concludes:  “While visitors like Robert were busy proving there’s a first time for everything, this was actually our second Get online day.  The campaign included incredible support from BBC presenters Jeremy Vine, Johnny Ball and Maggie Philbin, who helped spread the Get online day message, and were backed by the hard work of UK online centres going out into their communities and driving footfall to local events.  Marketing the internet to the digitally disengaged isn’t an easy task, but helping families make the most of technology is certainly a worthwhile one.  Getting online really can help people connect with each other, with their communities, with new opportunities and key – and that’s what Get online day was all about.”

[Original news story: http://www.ukonlinecentres.com/corporate/content/view/212/130/lang,en/]

For more information please contact Abi Stevens at astevens@ufi.com

The second annual Get online day is taking place this year on 24 October 2008.  Part of Campaign for Learning’s Family Learning Festival, it’s another chance for families to  log on and learn more about the world wide web.

One in three adults in the UK still aren’t online, and this includes an estimated 25% of parents. Not being online means those families aren’t taking advantage of the information and benefits the internet has brought to the rest of the population. And it’s disadvantaged or poorer families who are most likely to be missing out.

The digital divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ of ICT is bigger than ever, and has an impact not just on the individual but on families, the economic and social health of communities, on political processes and public services. It’s time everyone had the skills, access and motivation to make digital choices and take digital opportunities.

By targeting families, the idea is that the digital natives in a family – often the children – will get the digitally divided involved. It’s a chance for families to share their ICT and internet skills, spend time together and learn how the internet could keep on helping in everyday family life.

To find out more information about Get online day – its partners, supporters and some of the activities taking place – please visit the Get online day website: http://www.getonlineday.com/

The event builds on the success of the 2007 i-techpartner Academy at Daresbury Innovation Centre where over 120 delegates attended, including researchers, small businesses, innovation experts and investors.

Focussing on the areas of web services, mobile applications, web 2.0, software as a service and more, the eServices Forum will be of interest to you if you are:

• an innovative ICT/digital small business looking to grow your business
• a researcher from a university or research institute looking to commercialise your research
• a venture fund or business angel looking for investment opportunities in eServices
• an expert in technology transfer, innovation or business growth

The event is being held on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th June, more information on our previous story or on the i-techpartner website

The borough-wide community TV scheme means that residents of Wirral now have the opportunity to train in video production and see their own videos on a special website.

With the aid of grants from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Single Regeneration Budget and Riverside Housing, the two-year pilot scheme has provided the kit and specialist training for what could become Wirral’s own community television service.

The project, which was originally administered by Birkenhead Sixth Form College in association with local community trusts, is aimed at all sections of the community and for all age groups. Training courses have given trainees the basic knowledge to allow them to make their own videos.

The idea is that local residents will have the chance to make videos about anything they choose: a local band or football team; an environmental project; a campaign to clean up a local beauty-spot; local history… the choice is as broad as your imagination!

Canapes and refreshments will be served throughout the presentation of the new Wirral TV website, which will go live during the course of the presentation.

Wirral TV hope that you can set some time aside from your busy diary and come along on the 18th to celebrate the official launch of this new successful Social Enterprise and see for yourself how Wirral TV is set to serve the needs of the whole of the Wirral.

If possible please respond before 11th April 2008 for catering purposes either by phone or e-mail.

Telephone: 0151 644 4512

Email: info@wirraltv.net

This builds on the success of the 2007 i-techpartner Academy at Daresbury Innovation Centre where over 120 delegates attended, including researchers, small businesses, innovation experts and investers.

Focussing on the areas of web services, mobile applications, web 2.0, software as a service and more, the eServices Forum will be of interest to you if you are:

• an innovative ICT/digital small business looking to grow your business
• a researcher from a university or research institute looking to commercialise your research
• a venture fund or business angel looking for investment opportunities in eServices
• an expert in technology transfer, innovation or business growth

The event is a unique platform for eServices-focused high-growth companies, technology corporations, R&D organisations and international investors from across Europe to exchange knowledge and build effective business connections.

If you are an SME or researcher, presenting your technology offering at this event will mean significant exposure to an international audience of industry experts, investors, researchers and SMEs. Your attendance will enable you to access technology specific R&D and discuss how to grow your company with potential partners from research and industry. You will be able to book face-to-face meetings with potential business partners and develop new contacts with SMEs, multinationals, researchers, innovation experts and investors from across Europe. Overall the event provides a unique opportunity to receive valuable feedback and new knowledge regarding your technology.

The Academy is being led by AIMES, together with Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, RTC North, Merseyside ICT and Vanguard Corporate Finance.

Register

For more information and to register for this event as a presenter or delegate, please visit http://www.i-techpartner.eu/ where you will be asked to create a profile and apply for the event.

For further information please contact Marie Mitchell at AIMES on 0151 795 0116 or marie.mitchell@liv.ac.uk.

The National Digital Inclusion Conference 2008 ‘Reaching the Final Third’ will consider what radical interventions need to happen in order to reach the final third of digitally excluded citizens. The conference will be hosted in association with UK online centres and DC10plus.

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear the latest evidence and to question the individual and collective role of the public, private and third sectors and the call for Universal Access.

Conference Objectives:

• Examine the evidence and key data for the final third of the digitally excluded, looking at who and why
• Consider and discuss the costs and benefits of universal access
• Explore the role of the third, private and public sectors in reaching the final third and explore where joint working and intervention is required
• Agree a radical agenda and identify key actions moving forwards

Keynote speakers include:

• Jim Knight MP, Minister for Schools, Department for Children, Schools and Families
• Baroness Andrews OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government
• Mark MacGann, Director General, EICTA
• Nick Batey, EU E-Inclusion Directorate
• Dr Tanya Byron, Author, Byron Review
• Helen Milner, UK online centres
• Stephen Dodson, National Director, DC10plus
• Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Arts
• Stephen Uden, Head of Skills and Economic Affairs, Microsoft UK
• Stuart Purvis CBE, Partner for Content and Standards, Ofcom
• Andrew Heaney, Director of Strategy and Regulation, Carphone Warehouse
• Leonie Vlachos, Digital Inclusion Manager, Age Concern
• John Fisher, Director, Citizens Online
• Kevin Carey, Director, HumanITy
• Brian Eisenberg, Corporate Relations and Planning, Digital Unite
• Jane Berry, Net Gain
• Guy Giles, Operations Director, DigiTV

Target Audience:
The conference is targeted at both senior policy leads and practitioners in the fields of digital inclusion, social exclusion, transformational government and technology, including:

Public Sector and NGOs:

• Central Government Departments
• Local Authorities
• Regional Development Agencies
• Libraries and Information Services
• Local Strategic Partnerships
• Citizens Advice Bureaux
• Job Centre Plus
• Education Providers
• Think Tanks

Third Sector: Charities Social Enterprises, Not for Profit Organisations including:

• Access and Inclusion related charities
• Adult and Community Learning Providers
• UK Online Centres
• Welfare groups

Private Sector, including:

• Technology Companies
• Regeneration/IT Consultants
• Suppliers

Conference fee:
£295 +VAT

The conference fee includes admission to the reception, main conference including lunch and refreshments upon arrival and throughout the day. Further information about the programme, venue and practical arrangements for the event will be issued upon booking.

More information: http://www.civicregeneration.co.uk/conferences-page.php?sec=conferences&subSec=conferences_digital_incl_2008

Need to know more about the ICT services which are available to voluntary and community sector staff and volunteers working within the North West?

The Voluntary and Community Sector ICT Suppliers’ Fair, funded by the ICT Hub and the Five Counties Partnership, will allow you to talk to 40+ organisations who supply ICT services to the voluntary sector in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

This free informal market place event will allow you to communicate with North West suppliers providing services such as:

• Help with Accessibility
• ICT Purchasing
• ICT Training
• Managing Your Contacts
• PC and Network Installation / Repair

For more information on this event please contact Oliver Gibson on 0161 277 1028 or via email oliver.gibson@gmcvo.org.uk

This event is being run by the North West ICT Champion Project.

ICT Suppliers are invited to take a free stand at the fair, please use the booking form provided by following the link below (return by 22nd February 2008)

•  Further details and booking forms

INTERACTIVE MEETING ROOM TECHNOLOGIES?

Competing in fast moving environments amidst strategies of globalization and an increasing emphasis on your organizations corporate social responsibility, can you afford to fall behind in the race to the meeting room? Introducing the revolutionary “green room” which utilizes the latest video conferencing technologies to enable you to differentiate your business from the competition as a flexible, forward-thinking and innovative organization and continue to stay one step ahead of the competition as they follow in your digital footsteps.

Operating within the traditional business environment it was perfectly acceptable to book out the meeting room for an internal meeting which all staff could attend and be back to work in the time it takes to walk down the staircase or across a corridor. However, as businesses grow and have operations across their domestic markets as well as international operations, there are new barriers to communication for the traditional meeting.

The Rapid green room embraces video conferencing and meeting room technologies to enable organizations to conduct meetings with clients and customers in the next office, town or country in real time without the time or financial costs of office disruption. In addition, with the emphasis on corporate social responsibility, the use of video conferencing technologies reduces your carbon footprint and assists in the implementation of your organizations environmental strategy, a fast developing hygiene factor for the twenty-first business.

This FREE session will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to run and participate in interactive meeting rooms.

This session is for those organisations who are new to interactive meeting room technologies and those who already have an awareness to keep you up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

You will come away with:-

• The knowledge of what interactive meeting room technologies entail
• The comprehension to implement and run an interactive meeting room and compete effectively with your competition utilising the latest interactive technologies
• Understand practical and efficient ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint and save your business thousands of pounds
• Benefit from an extra working week of productivity added to your annual calendar
  Protect yourself against corporate liability issues and achieving work life balance

Guest Speaker: Colin Birchall, Director of Digital Interactive Technologies at Rapid Technologies

To book your place at this FREE MERIT event, click here

ICDC Liverpool Digital, 2nd Floor, Babbage House entrance, Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 9NW

The Information Revolution is transforming the nature of business. The ITIL® framework has become the most widely accepted approach to managing IT service quality and costs in a context of ever changing business requirements and increasing expectations.

Adopted and adapted by organisations of all sizes and sectors around the world, ITIL has become the de facto standard for IT Service Management.

At this FREE event Mark Flynn, founder of ITIL Consultancy organisation, Felix Maldo Ltd, will explain the nature of the ITIL material and qualifications – ITIL origins and credentials, scope, key concepts and the benefits, costs and risks of adopting an ITIL approach.

Following on from this event MERIT will be running the ITIL® V3 Foundation certificate training course. For further information visit http://www.merit.org.uk/training

For the ITIL experienced in the audience, this will be a useful introduction ITIL V3 which was launched earlier this year.

ITIL ® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.

DATE OF FREE IT CLINIC: 6 December 2007
TIME OF FREE IT CLINIC: 8am-6pm
LOCATION OF FREE IT CLINIC: Manchester Digital Development Agency, Lower Ground Floor, 117-119 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 6ED

Sessions are limited, so make sure you reserve your free 30-minute consultation now.

Call on: 0870 166 6654

Clinic Overview:
You probably started your company because you’re really good at something you’re passionate about. But, as you know, that’s not enough for a successful business. You also need to take into account other factors – like IT.

Which brings us to an inconvenient truth: if you don’t get IT working for you, it will work against you.

If IT is working for you, you can:

• create compelling and convincing sales and marketing materials
• enjoy better access to your financial information
• help your staff to get more done by enabling them to work on the move or from home
• boost staff morale by ensuring they can work when and where they need to
• drive more traffic to your site, helping you win more customers.

If IT isn’t working for you, you could suffer from:

• disillusioned employees who are unhappy because they can’t do their job
• loss of employee productivity
• disgruntled customers and clients because you’ve failed to meet deadlines
• fraud and loss of income because of hackers
• diminished sales because you’re not marketing yourself properly
• loss of business-critical data because it’s not been backed up properly.

They will cover:

• Optimising your website to get top ranking in Google & other search engines
• Using ‘pay per click’ to maximise relevant traffic & online sales
• Building affiliation techniques, link building, directories & email into your marketing strategies
• Q&A – analysing YOUR site & building a winning online marketing plan

The Manufacturing Institute – which delivers the BERR Manufacturing Advisory Service in the North West – introduces this free workshop as part of a key package of services available to help Merseyside manufacturers make more of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Merseyside Manufacturing & Automotive Group will also outline their activities and the mentoring support available to help develop your business.

Come and hear the ins and outs of online marketing methods. It is a great opportunity to get your web-based marketing questions answered. You can even audit your site and prepare an improvement action plan to take away.

Who should attend?

This event is a MUST for any small and medium sized manufacturing companies interested in building competitive advantage. It is aimed at Owners, Managing Directors, Operations Directors, Marketing Managers and those responsible for IT.

Outline Programme

Start date: 15-Nov-2007
Start time: 08:00am
End time: 11:00am

08.00-08.30 Arrival and light breakfast

08.30-09.00 Welcome and introductions

09.00-10.30 Successful online marketing for manufacturers

10.30-11.00 Q&A – your questions answered

11.00 Close and networking

The event will also include a chance to network with other manufacturers in your area and representatives from relevant business support organisations until 12.00pm.

Cost: FREE to Merseyside manufacturers; maximum 2 delegates per company and open only to manufacturing companies

Location: Suites Hotel Knowsley, Ribblers Lane, Knowsley, Prescot L34 9HA

Register now by contacting the events team on:

Phone 0800 458 9585

Email: events@manufacturinginstitute.co.uk

More information here: http://www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk/event_details.asp?PageId=204&EventId=391&c

With the increasing use of mobile technologies, and sophistication of external dangers such as spyware, how can you ensure your most valuable assets – namely your employees and clients – are protected?

The FREE session will address ways in which to control:

• Enterprise Reporting
• Web Content Filtering
• Spam
• Email Journaling
• Firewall Implementation
• Bandwidth Management
• Anti-Virus & Spyware
• Zero Hour Threats
• Removable Device Control

This 60 minute session will outline how you can best protect your network and valuable data whilst greatly reducing the associated administrative burden. It will introduce technology that enables you to monitor, control and secure your entire network from a single user interface.

Date: 31st October 2007
Registration 11:00 – 11:30
Presentation 11:30 – 12:30
Lunch & Networking 12:30 – 2:00

Venue: ICDC Liverpool Digital, 2nd Floor, Babbage House entrance, Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 9NW

To book on this event visit http://www.merit.org.uk/

Therefore businesses need to take action now, by reducing emissions and making substantial cost savings. However, many businesses are still not clear about exactly what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint.

This seminar organised by MERBEN in partnership with St Helens Chamber, Liverpool and Knowsley Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Liverpool Business Associations, will provide more detail on the range of ways in which you can reduce your CO2 emissions.

This ‘how to’ seminar follows on from our successful recent event that provided an introduction to ‘why’ you need to reduce your carbon footprint.

Come along to find out about practical ways in which you can reduce emissions in the areas of energy use, water, waste and company travel.

Speakers will include experts in the fields of resource efficiency, green vehicles and environmental technologies.

Registration is in two parts, please state which session(s) that you wish to attend (lunch will be available to all).

10.00am: A free showing of the world’s most talked about climate change film, Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.

12.00 noon: Lunch

1.00pm – 3.30pm: Presentations

Book on-line at http://www.merben.org.uk/ or
Email anthony.seasman@groundwork.org.uk or
Phone the Groundwork EBS team on 0151 644 4720.

Iain Roberts, Chair of the OSA, says “The OSA is pleased to announce an exciting, positive and timely event to address the challenges our education system faces in a rapidly changing and adapting world. With speakers and contributions from leading educationalists, providers and local authorities, as well as from both Parliament and mySociety, attendees will be able to speak to, question and examine leading experts from the ICT and Education arenas, to see demonstrations of leading software solutions and to hear first hand accounts of the real benefits of open source software installations.”

Confirmed speakers include:

• Martin Dougiamas
  Founder and head developer of Moodle, the leading open source learning management system with users including the Open University and nearly 30,000 sites from 192 countries.
• Ian Lynch
  With extensive experience in education senior management, from setting up the first City Technology College, the Specialist Schools program and as a Registered Inspector, Ian will describe a sustainable and practical way to make young people independent learners in the brave new world of Web 2.0 technology.
• Deborah Murrell
  Project manager for Cumbria and Lancashire Education Online. CLEO provides high quality private broadband networks and additional services, including Moodle and supporting the use of broadband technology in the classroom to support pupils learning at home and for teachers in their work

A panel discussion will also take also place with John Pugh MP, Mark Taylor Open Source Consortium, Dr Stephen Lucey Executive Director Becta, Mike Partridge Stockport LEA, Julian Todd MySociety and Moderator, Others TBA.

Additional confirmed speakers include Mike Partridge Stockport Local Education Authority, Richard Smedley M6-IT and John Pugh MP Sponsor of the recent Parliamentary Early Day Motion “Software in Schools”.

Please note places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you have any questions on the above or if you would like more details please contact us.

The Open Schools Alliance is a campaigning organisation supported by educationalists, technical experts and open source businesses. We are united by the common belief that the UK could enhance education, save taxpayers’ money and strengthen its IT sector by treating Open Source Software fairly.

http://www.openschoolsalliance.org/education-event
event@openschoolsalliance.org
Tel: +44(0)870 0202 111
Fax: +44(0)870 0202 112

They will also be revealing research conducted with six major companies in the Northwest on the benefits flexible working delivers to the economy, environment and society.

Hear from speakers, including:

• Peter Connor, Chairman, Northwest Flexible Working Group
• Sarah Williams, HR Manager, KPMG
• Justin Beevor, Director, Employment Channel, Addleshaw Goddard
• Catherine Nevin, HR manager, Liverpool John Moores University
• David Parr, Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council
• Susannah Robertson, Director, Robertson Cooper Ltd
• David Wilson, Head of employment relations, BT
• Gary Dodson, Green Light Computers
• Andrew Halliwell, Acting head, ICT policy, Northwest Development Agency

This event will be of interest to:

• Executives from HR/IT/Finance/Real estate who are considering introducing flexible working
• Executives wanting to expand flexible working in their organisation
• Service providers
• Regional policy makers & academics with an interest in flexible working

Date: Tuesday 6th November, 9am to 1pm, followed by a buffet lunch and optional afternoon workshops
Venue: ICDC, Faraday House, Edge Lane, Liverpool
Delegate fee: Free

To reserve your place: http://www.merit.org.uk/events/showevent.asp?recordid=139