The year’s biggest digital inclusion campaign is finally here and this year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. We all like to celebrate on our birthday and Get Online Week is no different. This year is it’s 10th birthday – the eagle-eyed among you will remember that the very first one was a Get Online Day. Since then the campaign has grown every year, from Get Online Day to Get Online Week; from hundreds of events taking place across the country to thousands. And I can’t wait to see what’s in store this year – especially as I’m going to 10 events to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

Tinder Foundation’s Director of Business and Innovation Adam Micklethwaite at a Get Online Week event this morning

The Get Online Week team at Tinder Foundation HQ have informed me that there’s well over 1,100 organisations taking part this year which is amazing. Thank you to everyone for signing up and for committing to host events that will reach new people in your community, showing them how big a difference technology and the internet can make to their lives.

If there are any doubters who are apprehensive about the power of online, you only have to look at this year’s campaign stars to see the impact it can have. Watch the story from Christina Wheatley who has used the internet to grow the reputation, business and influence of her social enterprise, Edible Avondale SE1, which teaches groups of young people food growing and DIY skills in the South Bermondsey area of Southwark. A real inspiration to small business owners across the UK!

Or what about Arthur and Sue? A heartwarming father and daughter who use the internet to stay in touch since Sue and her family moved to Cornwall. Arthur says that “Technology makes it feel like [they] are together.” And not forgetting Rob Smedley from the Edlington Hilltop UK online centre near Doncaster. Rob used his newfound digital skills to beat the “wilderness” of unemployment and move into full time work, helping others to get online and find work too.

There are so many inspirational people fronting this year’s campaign. If you haven’t heard their stories yet, please do take a look across on the Get Online Week website.

All fun and games

Don’t forget to use the brand new Get Online Week game to engage all the new learners coming along to your events. It’s been developed especially for people with little or no internet skills or experience – though it can be fun for those who are a bit more advanced too – and it’s a really enjoyable way to get a taste of some of the things that being online can help with. Check it out using the “Play the game” button on the Learn My Way homepage.

And finally

I’m so pleased that Matt Hancock MP, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, paid a visit to a drop in session at St Vincent’s Close Sheltered Housing in Girton today to get the campaign off to a flying start. Seeing such a high profile person supporting Get Online Week is truly encouraging and such a huge testament to how much the campaign has grown in the past ten years. I hope you enjoyed the visit Minister.

Matt Hancock MP chatting to one of the learners at the Get Online Week event this morning

My favourite bit of Get Online Week, along with my event visits (I’m really looking forward to them all this year), is seeing the campaign activity happening across the UK on social media. The Tinder Foundation team will be posting about their visits using the hashtag #GOLW16 and I’d love for you to do it too. Facebook; Instagram; Twitter; I want to see campaign activity across them all. #GOLW16 – let’s do it! And keep an eye out because we’ll be sharing and reposting as much as we can throughout the week.

Have a great Get Online Week everyone!