Going the Extra Mile: How Vector24’s Partnership with Rizon Training Is Changing Lives Across Scotland

Covering the whole of Scotland, Vector24 has saved the NHS over £42,000 in missed appointment costs and delivered more than £1.65 million in direct cost savings to service users who would otherwise struggle to access transport. Since its founding in 2016, the charity has provided over 29,000 journeys, reflecting the transformative impact removing transport barriers can have.

We spoke with Director of Operations, Leon Fisher, about the charity and how working with IED Training (now part of the Rizon Group) has provided them with a gold-plated training programme for their 65 volunteers and 7 full-time staff.

Building a Culture of Safety and Care
Running a transport service across the whole of Scotland is no small task, especially when the passengers are often vulnerable individuals who rely on Vector24’s care and reliability. Health and safety must be front and centre and for Leon and his team, this is at the heart of everything they do:
“Health and safety is all about culture,” Leon explains. “We involved every team member from the start and that collective buy-in has been key to our success. The training empowers our staff and volunteers to work safely and confidently. It’s not just a tick-box exercise for us.”

Working with IED Training (now part of the Rizon Group), Vector24 has developed a bespoke one-day training programme that covers everything from first aid and mental health awareness to conflict management, disability awareness, manual handling and people handling. The result is a complete, comprehensive training package that equips every member of their team with the skills they need before stepping behind the wheel

Bespoke Training That Fits Real Life
What makes the programme stand out is its flexibility. With volunteers spread across Scotland, training is designed to accommodate them and can take place remotely or in person, with additional quarterly in-person workshops now being implemented. Each course is interactive and relevant, built around the real-life situations that Vector24’s drivers face every day. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with participants describing the sessions as engaging, approachable and confidence-building.

“Stan and Ian at IED understand what we do,” Leon says. “They make the sessions engaging and easy for our team to connect with. Every session is relevant and everyone leaves feeling more confident and capable.”

Strengthening Governance and Growing Impact
The benefits of the partnership with IED go beyond the day-to-day operations. A robust approach to training and safety has helped strengthen Vector24’s governance and compliance, both of which are vital when applying for funding and grants. Leon explains: “Working with an accredited training partner has been invaluable for us. It has helped strengthen our governance and safety processes and has also made funding applications easier. We definitely plan to continue working with IED as we grow.”

By investing in their people, Vector24 is not only safeguarding their staff and volunteers but also ensuring the long-term success of a service that makes a genuine difference across Scotland. Demonstrating this strong commitment to health and safety also strengthens the charity’s credibility and future sustainability.

A Partnership Built On Trust
Vector24’s partnership with IED Training has helped them build more than just practical skills; it has created a shared culture of safety, responsibility and care. With bespoke, flexible training in place, the charity can continue to grow its impact across Scotland while ensuring the well-being of their staff, volunteers and the thousands of veterans and service users who rely on them every day.