Gaffer

I've worked at PEP for almost a year and have gained decorating skills. I enjoy getting out and about to different areas to help with the houses.
In the summer I do gardening, along with painting.
I work five days a week at PEP.

CM

A Handyman

I work as a handyman/driver for PEP. I do painting, decorating and gardening. I've worked at PEP for 2 years now on four day weeks. I enjoy helping people as my background is in nursing homes and I like getting to know the volunteers. I think that PEP realises the way volunteers need to be focused on, not just the service users. I like to think of PEP as a holding tank for volunteers with a varity of skills.

JJ

A driving escort.

I started working at PEP 2 weeks ago. Working as a driver and escort on the buses has given me an insight into people with disabilities and people who are less fortunate. Volunteering here has opened windows for me.
I work 3 days a week, driving the mini buses for the various groups. Working at PEP has allowed me to earn my Midas Certificate.

CM

An escort for PEP.

I've worked as an escort for PEP for only 4 weeks but I enjoy it lots. I like keeping myself busy and helping and working with people. It has also helped me gain more skills.
As an escort I go on the buses and help people from their houses to the bus and vise versa. I work on Mondays and Thursdays. On Thursdays I do two runs a day and on Monday I do the shopping run, helping whoever needs my help whilst shopping.

WM

Christian Chicks view on PEP

Working at PEP has helped boost my confidence, work on my social skills and make friends, along with helping people.
Volunteering at PEP for the past 13 months has been very enjoyable. I work on Tuesday morning with the healthy eating class, Tuesday afternoon the the 'Magic' club, doing Bingo, serving tea and coffee and helping cleaning up.
I also do the cooking for the Neighbourhood groups on Wedensday and Thursday.

HM

PEP Volunteering Service

Working at PEP has been an enjoyable experience and I have found out that making a difference in peoples lives can also make a difference and change you.
I started volunteering at PEP shortly before Christmas with the Thursday Neighbourhood group and will soon be participating in the Home Care Project and I sometimes fill in with the Tuesday Neighbourhood Group.
In the Thursday Neighbourhood group we go on walks, take courses-such as Photography and Geography, and give the people in the group a chance to experience new things. The volunteers also learn a number of new things whilst taking these courses.
I may start to use the PEP computer suite to help me understand computers more.

JA

What I do

I’m a volunteer. My job consists of painting and decorating in the winter and gardening in the summer which I very much enjoy doing. Sometimes I do escorting on service users mini buses. RK

My first week at PEP

I originally started at PEP as a job to bridge the gap between leaving college and going to America for nine weeks next year, hoping that it would look good on my CV.
After my first day I realised that it wasn't going to just be a job, bringing in some much needed funds but something I would enjoy doing and leave feeling satisfied.
My first day I was, metaphorically, thrown into the deep end of PEP, going to one of the many day groups for the elderly.
I myself will be the first to admit I believed some of the stereotypes of elderly people, but after my first day on the job, my perspective had changed greatly.
I soon realised that PEP wasn't all about helping the elderly, but rather, anyone who feels they need the help of PEP, both young and old, in a range of different ways such as Art, Literacy, Computers or something as simple as going to one of the many Neighbourhood Groups to do a range of activites such as Tai Chi, Flamenco dancing, pottery and much more.

There is also the painting and decorating team, which I helped out for two days, who go to houses or flats that need, to coin a phrase, sprucing up.

All together, my first week has been an eye opening experience into the world of work and social care that I don't think I'm going to regret once in the next six months.

SB