Earlier today I gave a speech at the National Digital Conference to an audience of around one thousand 'digital champions'. It's been an inspiring day to celebrate the launch of a network of 'digital champions' - anyone encouraging family and friends to use the internet. I announced the launch of the next phase of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's own First Click campaign to build on the successes of the last, and talked about future collaborations to broaden digital inclusion. My speech began:

I'm delighted to be joining Martha, Paula and all of you today to celebrate the launch of the digital champions' network and the next phase of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's First Click campaign. At the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, we began trying to introduce the British public to the potential of digital technology back in the early 80s with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Micro...

Read the rest of the speech .

Mark Thompson is Director General of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

• The National Digital Conference is taking place at Old Billingsgate Market, London this afternoon and tomorrow. Watch live online, from 0900 Thursday, . The hashtag is .
• Read the First Click Friends press release .
• Follow on Twitter.
• Help someone get online on .
• There's an post about First Click Friends .

Later this afternoon, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director-General Mark Thompson will deliver a speech to the National Digital Conference in London on the subject of media literacy. You can watch a live stream of the event . Mark Thompson's speech begins at about 1535. Come back to the blog for further information after the speech.'

Steve Bowbrick is editor of About the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

• The National Digital Conference is taking place at Old Billingsgate Market, London this afternoon and tomorrow. More information .
• Follow on Twitter.

"Are you by the computer now? You've got a mouse there and its working? Do you know what I mean by an icon? It's like a little picture." so said Jeremy Vine and his guest, the UK's Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox live on as they helped to get Valerie, a listener who'd phoned into Jeremy's show, online for the very first time.

It was all part of a campaign we ran in March across Radio 2 called where we encouraged our listeners to get online. When I was planning the campaign, some people said that it is wrong to "force people online if they don't want to be." That was never our intention but what quickly became apparent after we launched our campaign was that many of our listeners did want to know how to use the internet; they just didn't know where to start. Many told us they felt socially excluded and "out the club". Some, like Jeremy's listener Valerie, didn't use a computer because they were scared they'd break it. Others felt that learning how to use the internet was simply beyond their grasp. But with the encouragement of Radio 2 presenters, many took that first step and over 37,000 of our listeners requested our booklet giving basic help and advice.

This week we're hoping that even more of our listeners will take that step and get online as Terry Wogan launches on his Weekend Wogan show. An estimated 9.2 million people in the UK don't have access to the internet and so the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's First Click campaign is seeking to help them get online, and Radio 2 is very much part of that.

For the next week, we've got lots of discussions and features on Radio 2 looking at the internet. Along with the rest of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, we'll be encouraging our listeners to phone the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ First Click Advice Line on 08000 150 950 to find a beginners' computer course in their local area.

Or for those listeners who already know how to use a computer we're asking them to share their skills with a friend or relative. We've been busy filming videos for our website of Radio 2 presenters including Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine, Simon Mayo, Claudia Winkleman and Jo Whiley talking about their experiences of using a computer. There's even a cameo appearance by Ronnie Wood!

Back in March, we flew solo with our Get Connected campaign, so it's really exciting to join with the rest of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for First Click. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ works at its best when everyone works together, and the First Click campaign is a prime example of this. Let's hope millions as opposed to thousands see the benefits that the internet can bring to their lives and take that first step online.

Bequi Sheehan is a Radio 2 Producer

Find out more about

Read .

Our First Click media literacy campaign begins today with , designed to persuade those not online to call an advice line and book themselves on a beginners' computer course.

I have already had a big thumbs up from two key members of our target audience - my own mum and dad. To my shame, neither was online when I started working on First Click six months ago. So, helping them get connected has been a professional and personal joy. I've seen first hand how the internet can enhance lives. The trails are aimed at people just like them - as nearly two thirds of the 9.2 million people who have never been on line are over 65.

The trails, though, are only one part of the First Click campaign. I've been really impressed by the way colleagues right across the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ have been getting stuck in. Local radio and regional TV will be explaining the benefits of the internet. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning is providing course material and step-by-step instructions for learners and linking-up with external partners who will provide beginners' computer courses across the UK. , to give beginners a good introduction to the internet and are planning to launch a new online tool, MyDisplay, which will help those with accessibility needs customise the colour, font and size of text. is dedicating a week to First Click from next Sunday, October 17, and on . We've also had brilliant support from Sir Terry Wogan and Linda Robson.

This is a hugely ambitious project which shows the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ at its best. We have, under one roof, the expertise and reach to help our audience make the most of the internet - from understanding the benefits to practical support. And our trusted relationship with this audience makes this support all the more powerful. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has a unique mandate to use its TV, radio and online services to do this work. , the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has a mission to help 'deliver to the public the benefit of emerging communications technologies and services' and also promote media literacy. And it is important that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ does all it reasonably can to help licence fee payers gain access to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's online public services.

But we're not attempting to do this alone. When Mark Thompson, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Director General, launched the media literacy project last October he made it clear that he wanted the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to work closely with external partners on this. These partners include , , and .

We decided to launch First Click to coincide with - a national initiative by UK online centres which runs from October 18 to 24. During this week, there will be more than 3,000 events across the country where people can get online. In addition, local libraries and community centres will be running First Click Beginners' Computer Courses. First Click leaflets will be available in every Post Office across the UK and a special version of the First Click TV trail will be shown in 400 main branches.

Tonight, on The One Show, Sir Terry will help a retired member of the public to get online for the first time - and Linda Robson will be on the sofa, talking about her recent conversion to the internet. Both Radio 2 and local radio across the UK are dedicating a week of programmes to First Click. On next Sunday, October 17, Sir Terry will reveal the first in a series of fun videos by Radio 2 presenters, highlighting the benefits of being online. will have topical discussions across the week on his show and will be catching up with the listener he helped get online back in March. The week's programmes will culminate on Friday with talking to about her drive to get more of the UK population online. Local radio are producing a series of features and following First Click ambassadors, including Stuart Hall and Linda Nolan, as they go online for the first time.

To keep your eyes and ears alert for all the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ activity encouraging people to get online over the next few weeks. And as you're already online reading this blog, why not do what I did - and help someone take their very First Click.

Martin Wilson is Head of Media Literacy

Watch .

Read Bequi Sheehan's blog post about what Radio 2 are doing to .