The Access Foundation has awarded £43,622 over three years to Signpost (Colchester) Ltd, a community-based charity dedicated to tackling digital exclusion in some of the most deprived areas of Essex.

The funding will provide dedicated hours for part-time advisors at Signpost’s centres in Jaywick and Basildon, ensuring vulnerable residents have access to vital IT support, free internet, and digital learning opportunities.

Founded to support people into employment, Signpost has evolved into a person-centred, community charity focused on bridging the digital divide. Its mission is to ensure that everyone — including the unemployed, elderly, socially isolated, and low-income families — can access devices, connectivity, and the skills needed to thrive in a digital world.

The grant will fund three main strands of activity:

• Free internet access through data SIMs and public PCs, ensuring people can connect with essential services.
• Digital literacy training, including “Learn My Way” modules to build confidence in using technology.
• One-to-one tech support and guidance, helping beneficiaries with tasks such as online job applications, video calls with family, and accessing public services.

For many, these services are life-changing. One Signpost beneficiary, previously unemployed and digitally excluded, explained how support from the charity helped them learn online skills, create a CV, and apply for jobs — opening up new opportunities that had once felt out of reach.

By supporting this project, The Access Foundation is helping hundreds of people across Essex build digital confidence, reduce social isolation, and unlock opportunities in education, employment and community life. Over the next three years, the initiative will directly benefit around 400 people, creating a lasting impact in some of England’s most disadvantaged areas.