The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is a charity set up in 1998 with the initial main aim to manage a multi-use health and wellbeing building, the Pioneering Care Centre. In 1998 the then Prime Minister proudly laid the foundation stone, and with the 20 year milestone approaching, PCP jumped back in time to welcome The Right Honourable Tony Blair through the doors once more, along with Phil Wilson MP.
An avid supporter of the charity Tony chatted to the Chief Executive about the vast range of projects and services that the organisation now provides both in the Centre and across the region. Tony was pleased to meet Carol Briggs again, former PCP Chair and current Trustee, who was also present at the opening of the Centre nearly 20 years ago.
Taking the time to understand the range of different projects and services, Tony noted the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes to run such an effective charitable organisation. Tony heard about the plans to raise over £200,000 for refurbishment of the well-used Hydrotherapy pool and was particularly interested to hear about the scale of funding challenges for the Sector. Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive explained, “We discussed at length the difficulties in raising funds, particularly capital funding, for renovations such as the Hydrotherapy Pool. These costly facilities have a natural shelf-life and do need replacing after a while to continue to be effective; we talked about the role that the business sector could play and the avenues PCP hopes to explore in the coming months”.
Tony Blair agreed and commented “The vision and aspiration to develop the Hydrotherapy Pool is extremely admirable. Whilst the fundraising target is ambitious, I am sure with the support of local business, donors and corporate support PCP with make the dream reality.”
PCP is continually changing and developing and we were thrilled that the visit also coincided with the rebrand of the Pioneering Care Centre coffee shop. PCP doesn’t like to miss an opportunity so Tony Blair was also asked to open the new Garden Kitchen and he gladly obliged. Aiming to bring the outside in the Garden Coffee shop provides a relaxing area to socialise, reenergise whilst enjoying a range of freshly baked sweet and savoury snacks. After cutting the ribbon everyone enjoyed a slice of delicious cake made by the Garden Kitchen staff. Before leaving Tony said, “It was a pleasure to visit the Pioneering Care Centre again and to see how it’s developed over the past 20 years. The positive action trustees, leaders, staff and volunteers have taken to provide such a range of projects and services for local people is remarkable.”
After a day of engagements Tony Blair also hosted a dinner where again PCP staff and trustees attended to enjoy socialising in a more informal setting.
For further information about PCP please contact us at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, Newton Aycliffe,DL5 4SF tel: 01325 321234 email: enquiries@pcp.uk.net website: www.pcp.uk.net or follow PCP on Twitter: @PioneeringCare and Facebook: @PCPandCentre
