Tag: community transport

Places still available for PEP’s minibus training

Accredited Minibus Training (MiDAS)

limited places still available for Thursday 16 October

PEPvanPilton Equalities Project (PEP) is registered with the Community Transport Association funded through the City of Edinburgh Council and recognised as the community transport operator for the North Edinburgh quadrant. We are a partner of the Edinburgh Community Transport Operators Group (ECTOG)   PEP, Dove Transport, SEAG, LCTS, & Handicabs.

MiDAS is the nationally recognised Minibus Driver Awareness training Scheme, organised by the Community Transport Association U.K. (CTA) which promotes a nationally recognised standard for the assessment and training of minibus drivers. It is a membership based scheme that is designed to enhance minibus driving standards and promote the safer operation of minibuses.

It comprises low cost classroom-based training, plus an on-road driving assessment, as well as optional Passenger Assistance training (PAT’s) for drivers who will be transporting passengers with disabilities.

Criteria: a) Aged over 21 years, and (b) Held a full Driving Licence for 2 years. 

As places are limited, for further information on any of our courses call our trainer

Theodora Hidalgo on 0131 315 4466 or email:

pepequalities@btconnect.com

theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk    

PEP ahas ten accessible minibuses and applies a good practice model ensuring the Health & Safety of its passengers

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PATS training at PEP

Who’s PAT, and why is he training at PEP? Read on, all will be revealed …

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 Accredited (PATS) Passenger Assistant Training

Tuesday 2 September 2014
9.30 -2.30 at the PEP Centre, West Pilton Park

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) is registered with the Community Transport Association funded through the City of Edinburgh Council and recognised as the community transport operator for the North Edinburgh quadrant. We are a partner of the Edinburgh Community Transport Operators Group (ECTOG) PEP, Dove Transport, SEAG, LCTS, & Handicabs.

PATS means Passenger Assistants Training Scheme – PATS is a development of MiDAS and has a similar structure.

PATS has been developed for those people who undertake the role of passenger assistant, sometimes called escort. The PATS programme is relevant for passenger’s assistants working in cars, minicabs, taxis, minibuses, large buses and coaches.

PATS is open to any organisation that employs uses or supplies passenger assistants. An organisation does not have to be a member of the MiDAS training scheme in order to use the Passenger Assistant Training Scheme. It is also open to any organisation that uses volunteers as passenger assistants.

As places are limited, for further information on any of our courses call our trainer:

Theodora Hidalgo on 0131 315 4466

email theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk

pepequalities@btconnect.com

MiDAS PAT’s Publicity

Theodora Hidalgo
Learning and Training Officer, Pilton Equalities Project

PEP celebrates quarter century

DSCF9491How do you pack twenty-five years of history into a two hour time slot – and leave time for lunch too? It was a Herculean task for for Pilton Equalities Project, but like so many challenges they’ve faced in the past the local project passed the test with flying colours!

Staff past and present, volunteers, service users, friends and community colleagues celebrated PEP’s 25th anniversary at Edinburgh College Granton Campus on Friday.

Introduced by PEP chairperson Joan Turner, health professionals Jane Jones and Christa Wynn-Williams, former PEP worker and community activist Roberta Blaikie and current manager Helen Tait took their guests on a whistle-stop tour: from the beginnings in Royston Wardieburn and The Health Hut as Pilton Elderly Project right on to the present day as the multi-faceted Pilton Equalities Project – quite a journey!

As well as speakers there were displays of PEP memorabilia and photographs and guests also had the opportunity to renew auld acquantances and reminisce over a buffet lunch.

Many happy returns PEP – and here’s to the next 25 years!

and here’s 25 pictures … well, nearly!

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All CHANGE for community transport

 

 

Funding boost is early birthday present for PEP

PEP

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) is one of five community transport initiatives set to receive a funding boost from the Change Fund. It’s great news for one of North Edinburgh’s longest established community organisations – PEP celebrates it’s 25th anniversary next month.

The Change Fund for Older People is national funding allocated to health and social care partnerships made up of local authority, NHS, voluntary and independent sectors.

The City of Edinburgh Council and partners in the health, voluntary and independent sectors have invested £225,000 Change Fund monies into providing more minibus services in the capital, ensuring the city’s older people are set to enjoy improved social lives thanks to improved community transport

Accessible transport provides an essential role in helping frail older people access activities, helping to tackle the social isolation that they may experience as well as improved health.

Transport supports older people to live well in their local communities and maintain their independence in line with Council strategies such as the Live Well in Later Life Joint Commissioning Plan for Older People.

The Edinburgh Change Fund Partnership allocated the £225,000 across five community transport providers in the city:

•The Dove Centre,
•Pilton Equalities Project,
•South Edinburgh Amenities Group,
•Lothian Communities Transport Services,
•Handicabs.

The Change Fund met up to 90% of the costs to each organisation.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “Many older vulnerable people feel isolated and providing them with transport so that that they can access activities will help to tackle this. Supporting older residents and their health and wellbeing is a Council priority, which is why we are spending £1.2m this year on reducing social isolation in communities.”