Last Friday Ryan, Rachel and Theodora had a busy day at the Royal Botanic Gardens co-hosting a LOOPs event at the historic Botanic’s Cottage. The event ‘Local Opportunities for Older People’ had been planned together with Heather and her volunteers at the LOOPs phone-line based at ‘Volunteer Edinburgh’.
It was with great regret that at the end of July PEP said a fond farewell to Eilidh Letham.
Eilidh started with PEP in October last year as one of the two Community Navigators for the North West LOOPS project (Local Opportunities for Older People). During her time with PEP, along with her colleague Ryan Lytwyn, she helped get the project off the ground setting up local information stations and producing the first ‘Discover North West’ magazine.
The final week of PEP’s summer programme of events included a Trip to Falkirk, the last of the craft classes and a summer party at the Queensberry Bowling Club.
The weather in Falkirk couldn’t have been better; it was a lovely warm day with plenty of sunshine. It was perfect for sitting outside in the clean and safe precinct area after a nice session browsing around the shops. Everyone enjoyed the packed lunches and made the most of a relaxing afternoon.
The third week of PEP’s summer programme of events included a trip to Dunbar, a craft class, the annual Summer Fayre and a visit to the Blair Drummond Safari Park.
The outing to Dunbar gave another opportunity for some shopping and relaxing. It was great to have so many people going to the East Lothian harbour town including some who had never been there before.
Week two included a visit to Peebles, the second of four craft classes and a trip on Ratho Barge
The weather for Peebles wasn’t promising, but it didn’t stop a group from heading to the historic and picturesque borders town. The rain stayed off for the day and allowed time for everyone to browse around the charity shops and admire the historic churches.
Week one included a trip to Perth, the first in a series of craft classes and an Edinburgh tour.
The first outing in the minibus was a relaxing trip to Perth. It was a beautiful day and the group enjoyed what was described as a ‘lazy day’ having a nosey around the shops and a visit to the local cafes. The main object of the afternoon seemed to be soaking up that lovely sun!
The Neighbourhood Group went to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse not once but twice last week. They had tea and biscuits and a guided tour of the many rooms and gardens.
The Tuesday group endured torrential rain to get there, but agreed that it was well worth it. The Friday group travelled in style and even managed to get a picture with the PEP bus at the palace entrance!
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place from 1st-7th June every year.
For our celebrations PEP invited some of our amazing volunteers round for a chat with Paul Wilson, PEP volunteer and Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh and Local Councillor Eleanor Bird.
Espe from the ‘Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust’, paid PEP several visits this week to start the planting up of the office side garden. The Neighbourhood Group helped out, choosing areas, digging holes and planting a selection of currants, blueberries and herbs. They also filled the upcycled hanging baskets preparing them for planting. The Weekend Resource joined in too and helped Espe fill the recycled tyre planters with rhubarb, strawberries and carrots.
