Councils across the UK are being urged to join one of the biggest digital inclusion campaigns of the year to help local people get online.

Spring Online is an award-winning initiative that makes it possible for thousands of people, often older people, to try out using computers and tablets and the internet, many for the first time.

This year, between 31 March – 4 April 2014, thousands of free taster events and sessions will be held by volunteers and organisations across the UK to help and inspire local people achieve a lasting use of the internet.

Around 7 million people have never used the internet – around 6 million of them aged over 55. Many more don’t have basic online skills like sending emails and browsing the web. They are missing out on the huge benefits being online brings such as saving money, accessing information and keeping in touch with friends and family.

This year, between 31 March – 4 April 2014, thousands of free taster events and sessions will be held by volunteers and organisations across the UK to help and inspire local people achieve a lasting use of the internet.

About 80% of all benefit applications are expected to be online after 2017 and 90% of all jobs requiring IT skills by 2015, so supporting local residents to engage with digital technology is an immediate challenge for local authorities, says Digital Unite, one of the UK’s main providers of digital skills learning.

Its Spring Online campaign in association with Carphone Warehouse makes it possible for thousands of people, often older people, to try computers and the internet, many for the first time.

During the week thousands of free taster events and sessions are held by schools, libraries, community organisations and individuals across the UK to help and inspire local people to use the internet.

Over the 13 years of the campaign, Spring Online has helped around 200,000 people to use digital technology. Over a third of all Spring Online events take place in libraries, highlighting how this community campaign integrates easily with libraries existing IT provision and support. Schools too are enthusiastic participants, encouraging students’ grandparents, friends and neighbours to get online.