Volunteer for
PILTON EQUALITIES PROJECT
Make a difference in your local community
VOLUNTEER MINIBUS DRIVERS REQUIRED
D1 required on licence, for more information contact:
Elaine Anderson at Pilton Equalities Project on 315 4466
elainepepequalities@hotmail.co.uk
THURSDAY 21 JULY 1 – 3.30pm
Community transport training opportunities
with Pilton Equalities Project
Accredited (PATS) Passenger Assistant Training
Friday 12 February 9.30 -2.30 at the PEP Centre
MIDAS training
Accredited Minibus Training – limited places still available for Monday 8 February
For further info contact: theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk
Make a difference in your local community
Pilton Equalities Project is looking to recruit new volunteers to drive minibuses; D1 is required on your driving licence.
For more info contact Elaine Anderson at PEP, telephone 315 4466 or email elainepepequalities@hotmail.co.uk
Many thanks
Elaine
PILTON EQUALITIES PROJECT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 11am – 12 noon
Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) welcomes nominations for membership of the Board of Directors from people who live in North Edinburgh and representatives of local organisations who have an interest in the work of the Project.
The maximum number of members of the Board is 11, with a majority of members being elected from groups or activities associated with the Project. If more than 11 nominations are received in time for the Annual General Meeting then there will be a vote at the AGM. A further 4 co-opted places will be available for those who have experience and/or skills which could be of assistance to the directors
Completed nomination forms must returned by Friday 13 November.
If you wish to stand for appointment at the 2014/15 Annual General Meeting of Pilton Equalities Project, please fill in the nomination form (below) and then sign it and return it to Pilton Equalities Project, 3 West Pilton Park, Edinburgh, EH4 4EL
It’s become as much of a local Christmas tradition as mince pies or mulled wine – the Pilton Equalities Project Christmas Panto! This year’s spectacular was Cinderella and PEP served up another Christmas cracker.
THEODORA HILDAGO (who is far too modest to say that she co-wrote and directed the show – and played Cinderella too!) reports:
PEP’s Panto Time
On Thursday 18 December PEP took over the Granton Baptist Church for their Christmas celebrations. Around 100 people arrived to watch the show.
The evening started off with some lovely dancing from the children of the Edinburgh Dance Academy. They performed six wonderful routines, delighting the audience.
Then came the main event; PEP staff and service users performing their rendition of the classic pantomime ‘Cinderella’. The audience loved it, and the performers had a great time too!
There was singing from the ugly sisters, dancing from the ‘Neighbourhood Group Bollywood Dancers’ dancing to ‘Jai Ho’, and a dance routine from the Weekend Resource ‘Santa-Claus Dancers’… and did everyone live happily ever after? Of course!
After the show the buffet of sandwiches, sausage rolls, and juice was served in the kitchen and lounge. Then finally manager Helen announced the raffle. There was wine and chocolates up for grabs and six lovely food hampers donated by the staff and visitors of Liberton Hospital.
It was an amazing evening and we would like to thank everyone for all their hard work to make it happen. Thank you and ‘Merry Christmas’!
CAST LIST
Cinderella: Theodora Hidalgo
Buttons: Ray Fleming
Prince Charming: Ian Mason
Page: Lee Cooper
Ugly sister Franchesca: Frances Durie
Ugly sister Georgina: George Reavley
Fairy Godmother: Elaine Anderson
Pianist: Natasha Ong
Bollywood Dancers: David Aris; Lesley Chilcott: Lee Cooper; Kristy Duff; David Durie; Peter Holdsworth; Mandy Hosey; Mark Howie; Johnny Kirkland; Sean Muir
Santa-Claus Dancers: Margaret Aldershaw; Jean Irvine; Grace Paul; Moira Stone
BACKSTAGE:
Written by: Frances Durie and Theodora Hidalgo
Director: Theodora Hidalgo
Prop Design: Tuesday Literacy group, Neighbourhood Group, Weekend Resource service users, volunteers and staff
3D Set: Phillip Fitness
Costumes: Weekend Resource service users, volunteers and staff
Stage Manager: Diane Palmer
Stage Hands Harry Lawrie, Charlie Marshall, Dode Reid
Music: Rev. Ian Dickie
This show would not have been possible without the support of all of the staff at PEP. Thanks also to the volunteers who have helped out and donated items for the show.
A huge thank you to Ian Dickie at the Granton Baptist Church for his time and patience!
Theodora Hildago, Pilton Equalities Project
Accredited Minibus Training (MiDAS)
limited places still available for Thursday 16 October
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.
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:
theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk
PEP ahas ten accessible minibuses and applies a good practice model ensuring the Health & Safety of its passengers
![pep_logo[1]](https://i0.wp.com/nen.press/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pep_logo1.png?ssl=1){kind=logo}
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!
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.”
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.”
