Digital inclusion programme secures another year of funding
Funding has been secured to continue the Power Up! digital inclusion programme for another year, supporting residents across the Epping Forest district.
Digital support
Epping Forest District Council has awarded the contract to Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) to deliver the programme from 1 June 2025 to 31 March 2026, with funding provided through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Government’s Levelling Up initiative.
The Power Up! programme focuses on three key areas of digital inclusion:
- Digital skills – Helping residents build confidence and competence in using technology and the internet through local support and training.
- Connectivity – Enabling residents to have access to mobile data and wi-fi to connect to the internet.
- Hardware – Providing access to essential devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Get involved
There are a number of ways for you to get involved in the programme. Whether you know someone who will benefit or want to give up your time to help there is something for everyone.
Digital champion volunteers
VAEF is recruiting Digital Champion volunteers to help deliver workshops and walk-in support sessions across the district. Volunteers will receive training and access to digital tools to help others improve their digital confidence.
For more information:
- Email communityhub@vaef.org.uk
- Call 07967 726851
Donate a device
If you have a smartphone, tablet or laptop that you no longer need, why not donate it to Power UP! Epping and help local families get access to digital services.
We’re asking residents and businesses to bring unwanted smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs to our civic offices in Epping. All donated items will be securely wiped and refurbished before being redistributed to residents in the district.
You can drop off unwanted devices at the Civic Offices during regular opening hours.
Signposting
If you know someone who could benefit from digital support, let them know about Power Up! Whether they need help getting online, access to mobile data, learning new skills, or accessing a device, the programme is here to help.
For more information about the scheme visit:
Bridging the digital divide
We are proud to continue supporting the Power Up! Programme for another year, which plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide across our district.
Whether it’s helping someone learn how to use the internet for the first time or providing a family with a much-needed device, this initiative is about empowering our residents and ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Cllr Smruti Patel
We are pleased to be continuing to work, locally, in the area of digital inclusion, through our VAEF Community Response Hub team. For every new development in technology, more people are being left behind, in terms of societal expectations and personal barriers, linked to personal skills, access and affordability. Providing this service sits firmly within our organisation’s mission, to support the most disadvantaged within our local community.
Jacqui Foile, Voluntary Action Epping Forest Chief Officer
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