In March, Carol suffered a stroke that dramatically changed her life. She was initially admitted to James Cook Hospital before being transferred to Durham and later Bishop Auckland Hospital, where she spent ten weeks recovering. At one stage, Carol was given only a 75% chance of survival. She required a stent in her neck, was unable to speak or move, needed a hoist for transfers, and was tube-fed. Medical professionals warned that she might never walk again. Carol (to the lef

Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) and Hiyed CIC are delighted to announce a new partnership that will see the Garden Kitchen at the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) reopen on Monday 3 August from 9am. The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to improving lives, promoting wellbeing and creating opportunities within the local community. Through this collaboration, the Garden Kitchen will serve as a welcoming community hub while supporting people to

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) AGM. It was a fantastic morning reflecting on another successful year at PCP, celebrating achievements from across our projects and services, and looking ahead to the opportunities and ambitions for the future. We would like to extend a special thank you to our guest speakers, who shared valuable insights into their work and experiences: Christine Carlton – Supportive Spaces and PCP Bradley Cowey –

Claire Elliott, 49, was living with constant knee problems and did not feel good physically or mentally. After being referred to Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) and joining an Eatwise group, her self-esteem blossomed and she made key lifestyle changes helping her to lose weight. At a visit with her GP, Claire explained she was having issues with her knees. They were struggling under the weight of her body, and overall, she felt heavy and lethargic. Claire had also been contending w

From a chance meeting in a GP surgery, Tara* accessed the Stop Smoking programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). A brief conversation led to 12 weeks of support, putting an end to decades of smoking. Tara has now completed a journey of being ‘so addicted that [she] didn’t think [she’d] ever be able to stop’ and started a new chapter of being smoke-free. Nikki Williams, Community Connector at WBFL, set up an information stall at a promotional day at a local GP surgery. Tara ca

Following a competitive tender process, award-winning health and wellbeing charity, Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) has been reappointed to deliver the Community Health and Wellbeing Champions Programme. The programme aims to reduce health inequalities through an equitable approach to capacity building, through the recruitment, support, and training of Champions who live or work in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. Helen Dent, Head of Programmes and Impact (South), said: “Se

After years of dedication and planning by the Joining the Dots team, the first Look Good Feel Better (LGFG) workshop in rural County Durham took place on Friday 3 July, kindly hosted by No. 17 Café in Dipton. The group included women at different stages of cancer treatment, as well as those who had completed treatment. Each participant came with different needs, from learning how to care for their nails and adjust to changes in their appearance, to applying make-up after chan

Chris’s story highlights the importance of combining weight loss medication, where chosen, with healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change support to achieve long-term success and maintain results for the future.

North East charity, Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), has reaffirmed its commitment to its people by achieving Gold status from Investors in People (IIP). Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive said: “We are honoured and thrilled to be among the small percentage of organisations that achieve IIP Gold. This reaccreditation is especially meaningful because it reflects the voices, experiences and opinions of our workforce.” The IIP assessment involved a comprehensive review of sta

Participants in a community cooking programme delivered by health and wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) are continuing their cooking journeys at home after being gifted their own cooking equipment on completion of the course. Some of the 'Nourishing Pan' course participants with their bags of utensils, aprons and cooking pan. Thanks to funding from the Point North Community Grant Fund, 14 local people took part in a series of accredited four-week cooking cou

Mick’s* weight was having an impact on his mental wellbeing. Concerned about how this was affecting him, he turned to support from Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) to make a change. His original lack of motivation turned into action, and through a one-to-one Eatwise programme, he gained numerous mental and physical health benefits without compromising his enjoyment of life. To find out what he could do to lose weight, Mick visited his GP who referred him to our service. He was livin

I am extremely grateful to Emma from Joining the Dots for her kindness, dedication, and genuine care. Her support has helped me feel less alone and has made a real difference to both my physical health and emotional wellbeing during a very difficult time in my life.

This year the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 23 July 2026 at 11am at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer's Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4SF. For over 28 years health and wellbeing charity, PCP, has proudly delivered high quality accessible projects and activities aimed at improving health, providing access to services, and reducing social isolation. As well as managing the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, thriving

Lorraine, aged 61, shares how a simple visit to Healthworks in Easington became the starting point of a life-changing journey, one that helped her rediscover confidence, self-worth and a renewed sense of identity.

For many people, hydrotherapy is more than exercise, it’s a lifeline. At the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, the hydrotherapy pool supports both body and mind. Lorraine’s story offers a first‑hand insight into how this calming space has become an essential part of her wellbeing. Lorraine in the hydrotherapy pool. "I’ve only been coming to the hydrotherapy pool for about a month now, but it’s already made a huge difference to me. I have a condition where my muscles

According to reports, stress, depression and anxiety caused 22.1 million lost days last year, with nearly 23 days off work on average. With workplace wellbeing challenges being at an all-time high, the Better Health at Work Award (BHAWA) initiative is more important now, than ever before. This free initiative supports local employers to prioritise the health and wellbeing of their workforce. This programme is delivered by award-winning health and wellbeing charity, Pioneering

To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, Together 21 launched its annual ‘Rock Your Socks’ campaign, raising over £2500 to support local children and young people with Down syndrome. The Rock Your Socks campaign encourages everyone to wear brightly coloured odd socks, to raise awareness and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals with Down syndrome. Together 21 is a specialist service supporting the education, development, and inclusion of children and young people with Down syn

Tracy Cullen, 50, was unhappy with her size and weight. Feeling unfit and experiencing regular tiredness, she wanted to start her weight-loss journey. With weekly one-to-one support from Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) through the Eatwise programme, Tracy lost a substantial amount of weight, became fitter, and has improved her mental wellbeing. Having decided that she wanted to make a change, Tracy spoke with her nurse. She was not only feeling the physical effects, but her weight

Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is proud to announce the launch of a new Men’s Pie Club in Redcar, strengthening its commitment to supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing across the Tees Valley and beyond. PCP recently facilitated the launch of a new group, taking place at Westfield Farm, in Dormanstown - a community resource and training centre, owned by Beyond Housing. The club officially opened its doors on Friday 27 March, and saw a number of men come along for an

The Health Squad team in County Durham have been crowned winners in the prestigious Health Service Journal (HSJ) Partnership Awards 2026, celebrating excellence, innovation, and collaborative working across healthcare. For nearly half a century, the HSJ has recognised NHS teams and partners who are driving improvements in patient safety, service transformation, and health outcomes. This year, Health Squad were awarded the Most Impactful Project Addressing Health Inequalities.