PEP – Page 5 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

PEP celebrates quarter century

How 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!

All CHANGE for community transport

Funding boost is early birthday present for 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.”

PEPping up digital inclusion

Digital participation to tackle inequality and boost online access

A new strategy outlining how digital technology can be used to tackle inequalities and benefit communities across the country was launched by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop at PEP in West Pilton Park yesterday afternoon.

The National Digital Participation Framework for Local Action maps out how helping people to get online and become confident users of the internet can open up new possibilities in healthcare, education and economic development. It also details how anyone can access support and training on digital skills at home, at work and in communities.

The strategy was launched as Ms Hyslop visited Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), where she met staff, volunteers and members of the local community. PEP provides a range of services for older and other vulnerable adults in North Edinburgh, including computer classes, which encourage independence and reduce isolation.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “Digital technology is transforming our society and changing the way we live – how we buy goods and services, how we build and maintain friendships and how we communicate with people and organisations in our local communities and across the world.

“The Scottish Government is determined Scotland is seen as a world-leading digital nation by 2020. We want everyone to be able to reap the social, cultural and economic benefits the internet can bring.

“While good progress is being made with the delivery of digital infrastructure, more needs to be done to enable people to become active digital citizens and share in the benefits the internet can bring.

“The Pilton Equalities Partnership is an excellent example of an organisation that supports people who are digitally excluded. The Scottish Government, through our Digital Participation Strategy, intends to support similar organisations who wish to make a positive contribution to increasing digital participation.”

Jean Gallagher, who attends computer classes at PEP, said: “I was delighted when a friend advised me that there was a place nearby that had a computer class for the elderly and, although I was a bit apprehensive, I decided that If I was to understand about the technology of today’s world I had to take the plunge.

“As a complete novice seven years ago, not even knowing how to turn on a computer, I can now do most of my shopping online, I do the family banking online, keep in touch with friends and family abroad via Skype and those nearer hand via social networking.

“I feel there is no way that at 81 years old would I be able to keep up with the modern way of living if it had not been for the staff at the PEP centre. I owe my new way of life to them and will be eternally grateful.”

Chris Yiu, Director of Digital Participation at SCVO said: “Everybody should have an opportunity to benefit from the internet, regardless of background or circumstances. Three in ten people in Scotland still lack the basic skills needed to get things done online. If we are serious about being a world-leading digital nation then the time has come to close this divide.

“SCVO welcomes the publication of the Digital Participation Strategy, and is delighted to play a leading role in this important agenda. By working across the public, private and third sectors to coordinate and scale up digital participation projects, together we will make a real and lasting difference to people and communities across Scotland.”

PEP manager Helen Tait said: “PEP provide the facilities, training and on-going digital support to enable older and less able people within our community to take advantage of the social and economic benefits of digital technology. Much of the focus is directed to understanding and using general web-browsing, email, social media, online shopping, and public services. It also creates the opportunity to increase socialisation through peer support. We also ensure that users are aware of, and know how to handle, the security issues that associate with online services.”

PEP: Twenty five not out

PEP volunteer Tony Delahoy highlights a local community organisation which marks an important milestone this year:

Nationally, this year many important dates and events will be recalled with mixed emotions – they should not be passed over in silence. Locally in North Edinburgh, an important milestone was reached in February.

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) will have been providing many services for older and other vulnerable adults for 25 years, encouraging independence and reducing isolation.

Over 180 people take part weekly in PEP’s activities: most are transported to and from their homes by PEP’s minibuses. The buses are fully accessible for wheelchair users and are staffed by drivers and escort volunteers.

PEP work is supported by some funding from the City of Edinburgh Council, to whom grateful thanks are expressed by all involved with PEP.

The following activities are on offer:

Five Day Care Clubs with places for 100 people, with entertainment and classes arranged,
Arts and Crafts,
Computer Instruction and Internet,
Lifelong Learning, Literacy and Numeracy,
Exercise,
Cooking,
Entertainment and Outings,
Shopping trips twice weekly to various locations,
Neighbourhood Group four days a week (mental health support),
Weekend Resource Centre (for aged fifty-plus isolated people),
Learning difficulty class.

During the summer PEP runs a programme of outings to places of interest outside Edinburgh, and PEP also offers a gardening and handyman service.

As you may imagine many volunteers are need to keep things going: last year over 7500 hours were volunteered! PEP’s services for the people of North Edinburgh are invaluable – at present we have 900 people on our database; without volunteers and funding, services would be denied them.

The name Pilton Equalities Project does not mean that services are restricted to Pilton itself – the actual areas covered takes in Granton, Royston Wardieburn, Trinity, Leith, Drylaw, Muirhouse and Silverknowes.

Our address is:

Pilton Equalities Project

PEP Centre

3 West Pilton Park

Edinburgh EH4 4EL

Telephone 0131 315 4466

Fax 0131 332 4817

Email: pepequalities@btconnect.com

Website: www.pepequalities.co.uk

An event to celebrate our 25 years of service to the people of North Edinburgh will be held in July in Edinburgh College Granton Campus – details will be published as soon as they are confirmed.

Tony Delahoy

Post PEP nomination papers pronto!

PEP AGM papers-1

Pilton Equalities Project’s (PEP’s) annual general meeting takes place on Thursday 21 November at 11am, but if you’d like to become a board member you must submit your nomination papers by this Friday (15 November).

All of the information you need can be found on the attached papers (above) – or you can email pepequalities@btconnect.com

Go on, support a local community project!

Spirit of the Community awards for local groups

The Water of Leith Conservation Trust and Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) are among twenty four community groups from across Scotland to share in a funding boost of £175,000 to make a real difference in their local areas.

Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards announced the substantial donations to voluntary groups at an awards ceremony in Glasgow earlier this week to recognise the charities and not-for-profit organisations which are going the extra mile.

Water of Leith Conservation Trust has been awarded £10,000 to support its community and volunteer development programme which aims to target new groups and extend existing partnerships. The funding will be used to increase the hours of the Community and Volunteer Officer, purchase additional equipment such as litter picks, produce a volunteer guidance pack and cover staff training costs.

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), which aims to enhance the quality of life for older and other vulnerable adults in North Edinburgh, has been awarded £5,000 to expand its literacy programme, combining both literacy and employability skills.

Another award for Edinburgh was National Trust for Scotland, awarded £5,000 to assist with its ‘Beyond the Gate’ six month pilot project which will deliver weekly events at the Hailesland Child & Family Centre in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. National Trust will work in collaboration with the centre staff to deliver a gardening programme focused on growing food and promoting healthy eating as well as outdoor learning.

The awards, which launched in January this year to mark the Bank’s 175^th Anniversary, were open to a range of organisations across the third sector which could demonstrate their support for the local community. Groups were invited to enter the awards scheme under one of three categories; education, employability and environment.

Three winners have been selected in each category, securing a funding boost of £10,000. An additional five winners in each category have been awarded £5,000. A further £10,000 was awarded to one charity whose contribution to the community the judges felt was outstanding meaning one organisation received £20,000.

David Thorburn, Chief Executive of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, said: “Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards aim to recognise and support the vital contribution that voluntary and charitable organisations make to their local communities. It has been inspiring to see the great work which is being done at grass roots level across the country. “Water of Leith Conservation Trust, Pilton Equalities Project and National Trust for Scotland are extremely deserving winners which have been recognised for their community spirit with these awards from Clydesdale Bank.”

The recipients said they were delighted to receive the awards. Helen Brown, Trust Manager at Water of Leith Conservation Trust, said: “As a small charity this kind of investment in our work and that of our volunteers means an enormous amount. We work to keep Edinburgh’s river clean, green and full of wildlife. Thank you to Clydesdale Bank for recognising our work and choosing to support us.”

Helen Brown is pictured below (centre) with Water of Leith’s award

PEP volunteers let their hair down

George Reavley, Pilton Equalities Project’s recently appointed Volunteer Coordinator, reports on an event held to thank PEP’s trusty band of volunteers:

PEP’s annual Volunteers Social Evening took place on Thursday 1 November at Queensberry Bowling Club. This is one of those occasions where PEP staff organised the hall and buffet arrangements, giving their time freely to show how much they value the services of our excellent volunteers, who contributed an amazing 7,518 hours in the past year.

The evening consisted of a quiz, buffet, raffle and music, aimed to integrate volunteers and introduce them to other PEP volunteers and staff in a social setting. In total 30 volunteers attended, plus the PEP staff who’s aim was to make the evening as fun as possible. The first task was for the volunteers to choose a team and name them.

Six teams formed; they were: ‘The Smarties’, ‘The PEP Heads’, ‘The Smilers’, ‘The Marshalls’, ‘The Volunteer Vixens (+ 1 fox)’ and last but not least, ‘The Happy Lot’.

The hotly contested quiz consisted of five rounds throughout the evening, but in the end there had to be a winner. In third place were the competitive ‘PEP Heads’ but they were outsmarted by ‘The Smarties’ who came second! The victors were the vivacious Volunteer Vixens (+ 1 smiling fox), (pictured above) who were triumphant after playing their joker card!

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening where volunteers and staff enjoyed some banter and dancing, mixed with a lovely buffet which was enjoyed by all who sampled it. The evening ended with a raffle with the top prize being a delicious food hamper.

We hope to repeat this with another social activity next year and would like to thank Barrie from ‘Floorplay Events’ and the Queensberry Bowling Club for hosting us once again. A huge ‘thank you’ also to all the PEP staff whose hard work made the evening possible.

If you would like to find out more about our volunteering opportunities and services please contact us on 0131 315 4466 or via the PEP website www.pepequalities@btconnect.com

PEP coffee morning and table sale

Pilton Equalities Project’s Weekend Resource is holding a coffee morning and table sale at the PEP Centre in West Pilton Park on Saturday 24 November from 11am – 1pm. Donations welcome – call 315 4466 for more info.

Accredited transport training at PEP

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) is offering accredited transport training courses next month.

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 stands for Passenger Assistants Training Scheme, and has been developed for those people who undertake the role of passenger assistant (also known as escorts). The PATS programme is relevant for passenger 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 to use the Passenger Assistant Training Scheme, and the training is also open to any organisation that uses volunteers as passenger assistants.

Limited places are available for the training, which takes place on

Wednesday 12 December at PEP in West Pilton Park.

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.

The MIDAS training course takes place on Thursday 13 December.

Interested? Contact PEP trainers Theodora or Brian on 315 4466 or email

theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk or brianpeopequalities@hotmail.co.uk for further information.

Tough times at PEP

Chairperson Irene Garden said she wanted to be positive when she welcomed guests to Pilton Equalities Project’s (PEP’s) annual general meeting on Friday, and she started out that way. However her report quickly turned to PEP’s trials and tribulations – it’s been a particularly tough year, and the signs are that it’s not going to get any easier any time soon.

“Once again our staff and volunteers have worked above and beyond the call of duty to ensure we continue to deliver our services”, she told the meeting at PEP’s West Pilton Park office. “To quote George Johanson, one of our directors: ‘another difficult year in tempestuous seas!'”

PEP is fundamentally different organisation from the Pilton Elderly Project from whence it emerged. Community transport for older people was the primary focus of the old PEP, but as funding priorities changed over the years so has PEP – the community organisation has diversified and added learning and training elements to the daycare and community transport services it was best known for.

Manager Helen Tait highlighted successes over the last year, and PEP’s statistics certainly remain impressive: PEP has provided 2585 learning opportunities over the last year, has 59 volunteers who have given 7518 hours to the service and the PEP minibus fleet has provided 33.931 passenger journeys this year.

But despite those figures, PEP faces a constant fight to keep all those services going, chairperson Irene Garden told the meeting.

“It’s been a very difficult year with funding cuts and uncertainties. Staff have been really flexible but so much of their time is now spent chasing funds that it’s getting really difficult for them to do their ‘real’ jobs. With respect to our transport services, we receive funding for our drivers but no money to maintain our vehicles – that’s proving to be a real problem and we don’t want to let any of our service users down,so we really need our funders to support us now. We are under real pressure – no service has had to be disbanded as yet,but this is all dependent on sufficient funds coming in. If the last twelve months have been a challenge the next twelve could be even tougher.”

Despite that fairly gloomy outlook PEP still has a full Board of Directors for the year ahead, with only one vacant position.

With the annual general meeting finishing earlier than expected, some procedural business was discussed. The meeting heard that a compliance sub-group is currently reviewing PEP’s constitution and Articles of Association to clear up some inconsistencies over membership issues. That sub-committee will report recommendations to PEP’s new board in the near future.