The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Wendy Hillary along with partners, volunteers and staff to their 18th Annual General Meeting last week. As well as managing the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, which had 372,357 visits during 2016-17, PCP delivers 26 projects across the North East supporting the Charity’s mission of Health, Wellbeing and Learning for All. Those present were touched by the poignant speakers who talked about how the services they accessed had a profound impact. Lisa Marie from Shildon spoke in person about how the health trainer had changed her life. Lisa had been unhappy, lacked confidence and felt lonely. Through working with her Health Trainer she was supported to meet other mums from her community, join groups and become more active.
She had increased her activity level from 3,000 steps a day to 12,000 attending weekly Buggy Walks and simply getting out and about more. Lisa Marie, who has also lost 8lbs in weight, said “It’s good because you start off not knowing what you really want, then you’re doing it, then you’ve achieved it and you think ‘yeah I can do this and you want to keep going!” Angela Wright, HR Officer from Prima Cheese in Seaham explained how their employees have really engaged with the Better Health at Work Award describing a range of events and health campaigns, including Alcohol Awareness for their drivers which increased understanding of the dangers of drinking the evening before work. She said “The workforce has definitely become more engaged and our drivers were really surprised with the information, it will definitely change habits. Everyone is trying to be healthier, we are even putting a team together for the Great North Run!” Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive, spoke about the highlights from the past year and said “PCP’s annual report sets out some of the key achievements and this year my focus was to celebrate volunteering.
Over the past 10 years approximately 900 volunteers have given almost 48,000 hours service to PCP. This equates to over £400,000 of time donated and our volunteer report increases in confidence, learning and health. I am privileged to lead PCP, it is a wonderful organisation with forward-thinking, skilled and flexible paid and up-paid teams. The breadth of the work we do is incredible and as we approach our 20th anniversary in 2018 we will be looking back fondly at all that we have achieved whilst keeping a keen eye on the future to enable us to support even more people.” For further information about the impact PCP has had locally and to hear about some of the key achievements, read their annual report at www. pcp.uk.net or pick one up in the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, or contact PCP on 01325 321234 email: enquiries@pcp.uk.net
