Today, Brits are being challenged to leave failed New Year’s resolutions behind, and start something new online instead.
It’s estimated that up to 80% of us will have already failed in our resolutions, just a month since making them. The Start something campaign from UK online centres offers a second chance to make a change - and start something that will actually last.
Whether it’s getting a new job, getting connected or getting healthy, the idea is that starting something online could give people the skills and support they need to do something that really matters to them. Hundreds of Start something sessions are taking place across the country in community centres, jobcentres, libraries and shopping centres. Visitors will be encouraged to see what they could start online - from job hunting to bargain hunting, Skype-ing to socialising, family trees to finding recipes.
Helen Milner is Chief Executive at Online Centres Foundation, the organisation behind the national UK online centres network. She explains: “New Year’s resolutions are so last month! February is all about starting something new online, and the key is to make it something you really want to do. Computers and the internet aren’t an end in themselves - they’re a means to an end. They could help make chores more simple, hobbies more fun, conversations and connections quicker, and opportunities easier to take advantage of.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner with computers, or a bit of a www.dabbler, anyone can start something new online. What’s more - with a bit of help - it’s easy to do, easy to stick to, and could be the start of something pretty special!”
The campaign runs from 4 February to 15 March, and aims to inspire thousands of people to start something online. There’s no doubt that doing so has already helped millions of regular UK online centres visitors achieve their goals.
Norah, 78, from Conisbrough, lost more than four stone in weight thanks to the support of an online weight-loss group and her local UK online centre Doncaster West Development Trust. She explains: "I lost about four stone, in less than six months, which was a lot for me. And there's no way that I could have done it without the website. I really don't believe I would have lost all this weight without the emails and help I was able get online. The more I learn about the internet and use it, the more it changes my life.”
Meanwhile Clive, 56, from Cornwall, is another supporter of the Start something campaign, having found a new job with a little help from UK online centre Cornwall Advice Service. He says: “My computer skills were very limited when I first visited the centre, so when it came to using something like a job-search website, I had no chance. But I got the right kind of help when I needed it most. After being unemployed for almost a year, I was just so happy to be back in work. If it wasn’t for someone taking the time and trouble to sit with me and help me gain the skills I needed, I’m sure I’d still be unemployed today.”
Those wanting to follow in Norah and Clive’s footsteps and start something online this February can find their nearest UK online centre at www.ukonlinecentres.com, or call free on 0800 77 1234.
To find out more about the Start something campaign, visit www.ukonlinecentres.com/startsomething or follow #startsomethingonline on Twitter.
Ends
For more information about this press release, please contact Anna Geraghty anna.geraghty@ukonlinecentres.com 07872 992748.
Notes to editors:
- Start something is run by Online Centres Foundation - a staff owned mutual with a mission to support digitally and socially excluded people at scale, by translating national strategies into social action at the most local level. This achieved via a network of 3,800 hyper-local UK online centres, based in some of the most deprived communities in the country. www.ukonlinecentres.com
