A digital support service helping people get online and improve their skills and confidence is set to close as its project funding comes to an end.
Voluntary Action Epping Forest’s Power UP! programme was recommissioned in June 2025, drawing on money from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund via Epping Forest District Council.
The scheme built on several years of community-based digital learning, is aimed at reaching residents who struggle to navigate an increasingly online world.
Over the past 10 months the service has supported nearly 600 people across the district.
Staff and volunteers have provided digital devices and data, home care technology, walk‑in support surgeries, computer courses, home visits and help with CVs and online job applications.
The walk‑in sessions, held in Epping, Loughton, Ongar and Waltham Abbey, offered practical guidance on everything from online employment support and shopping to internet banking, socialising and making health appointments.
VAEF has been a registered Online Learning Centre and a partner of the UK National Data Bank since 2018, offering residents access to data support, learning resources and safe spaces to develop their digital confidence.
The service has become particularly valuable for older people, those on low incomes and anyone without regular access to devices or affordable internet.
Project lead Nick Robinson said the service had never been more needed: “We know that in the Epping Forest district, around one in 10 adults still do not have the skills or access to engage fully in the online world.
“We have recently seen transitions in primary care, where most local GP appointments now need to be booked via an online assessed request. This reflects the wider pace of digital change and the expectation placed on people on a day-to-day basis.”
One of the volunteers, Tom, who worked alongside Nick delivering sessions in Epping, said the work had been extremely rewarding.
“It’s been really heart-warming to be able to help members of our community who didn’t grow up with this technology,” he said. “It’s easy to forget how difficult it is for older people to live nowadays in a completely online world.”
VAEF is now seeking new funding to keep the digital support service running.
The organisation is also exploring ways to support other community groups across the district to develop their own volunteer-led digital help, ensuring residents continue to have somewhere to turn.
More information is available at: vaef.org.uk/vaef-services
- Anyone interested in becoming a digital volunteer, or in other roles such as befriending, driving or conservation, can contact Volunteer Centre Coordinator Maggie Gilchrist on 07443 264422 or volunteering@vaef.org.uk
- Lisa Sharp is from Voluntary Action Epping Forest (vaef.org.uk).
