The Power UP! Project, resourced through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, seeks to help residents facing digital barriers, in living more independent and enriched lives, through improving personal digital skills and confidence, as well as providing devices and WiFi data to those who need it.
The initiative, commissioned by Epping Forest District Council, has seen digital support drop-in surgeries set up at Waltham Abbey Library (Mondays 10am-midday), Epping Civic Offices (Thursdays 9.30am-12.30pm) and St Mary’s Church, Loughton (Fridays 10am-midday).
In addition, the service regularly provides home care tech, repurposed hardware and SIM cards to referred local residents.
Now in its second year, the Power UP! Programme is looking for Digital Champion volunteers, to help take the success of the project further.
VAEF is keen to both recruit new project volunteers and train members of the wider community in how they can best help a neighbour or family member who lacks the skills or access to doing things online, using a smartphone, or other digital device.
Project lead, Nick Robinson from VAEF said: “Helping others to grasp digital skills can be a really helpful and rewarding thing to do. You don’t need to be great with computers to be able to make a real difference in supporting someone.
“There are some great, free online learning resources available, such as ‘Learn My Way’ and ‘Essex Digital Help Finder’. We are really keen to share these things with people, who have the personal interest and patience to want to be able to help others”.
During Get Online Week (October 20-26th), Voluntary Action Epping Forest ran a number of events, including Digital Champion introductory training and a Digital Inclusion forum event at The Hobo Club in Loughton.
Chief Officer Jacqui Foile added: “VAEF has always worked with disadvantaged groups and residents, who are also disproportionately more likely to face digital skills and access barriers.
“The Power UP! project gives scope for our volunteers and staff to deliver really beneficial work, tackling this head on”.
- For more information about becoming a Digital Champion volunteer, or the work of the Power Up! digital inclusion project contact: nrobinson@vaef.org.uk or call 07967 726 851
- Lisa Sharp is from Voluntary Action Epping Forest (vaef.org.uk ).
