Darren Barton, 59, was finding it harder to lose weight as he got older. Seeking support for this, he was referred to Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). With the service, he accessed tailored online support helping him to reach his weight loss goals. After being referred to WBFL by his doctor, Darren joined a Virtual Eatwise group hosted by Jules Howe, Community Connector, and Emily Merriweather, Wellbeing Practitioner. The sessions were held once a week on Monday evenings. Here, Dar

At the age of 82, Edith decided to take charge of her health and transform her lifestyle. In February 2026, she entered the Eatwise programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). After completing the programme, Edith had achieved significant weight loss which has had a major, positive impact on her daily life. Edith joined Catherine Nicholson, Community Connector at WBFL, at the Crook Civic Centre. Here, 12 sessions of healthy weight support would take place, focusing on achieving

Wellbeing for Life is encouraging County Durham businesses of all sizes to invest in their employees through a newly updated programme of free health and wellbeing courses, following the launch of its Lifelong Learning Prospectus. As workplace wellbeing continues to be a priority across all sectors, the initiative gives employers an accessible way to equip staff and managers with skills that contribute to healthier, happier and more productive organisations. Created to addres

For #WorldMentalHealthDay Sophie Richardson, Lived Experience Officer has shared her inspirational journey about how she has got to where she is today. Sophie Richardson pictured to the far right "Following a career break due to my mental health, I couldn't see a way forward. I didn't think anyone or anything could help me. However, what felt like the end was only the beginning. "I was able to access specialist mental health support. Over time letting people in has been one o

This year's theme is for #World Mental Health Day is 'Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change'. Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) wants to take the opportunity to shine a light on how sharing lived experience can make a difference and influence positive change. Please read below an incredibly moving story from PCP Lived Experience Officer, Sophie Pounder. Sophie and her Dad "My journey with mental health began at a young age. I struggled with quite severe anxiety gr

After decades of smoking, Julie Wilson (63) and her daughter Tina Irving (43) decided to quit together, supporting each other every step of the way with the help of Nikki Williams, a Wellbeing for Life Community Connector. For Julie, the turning point came when her health began to suffer. A cleaner who is constantly on the move at work, she found herself struggling to walk up a hill on her way from the bus stop and was becoming increasingly breathless throughout the day. Coll

Together 21, delivered by health and wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), has raised an incredible £831.62p for children with Down syndrome and their families. Families, children, young people and supporters completed an annual sponsored walk in Preston Park, Stockton, demonstrating their determination and community spirit while raising vital funds for Together 21. The money raised will help Together 21 continue providing support, activities and opportunities

Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is delighted to announce that £156 was raised through its recent Macmillan Coffee Morning. The event brought together staff, service users, families and members of the local community to enjoy refreshments while raising funds for a worthwhile cause - whilst having the fifth annual PCP Bake Off - which was won by Pete Hart, Enterprise Team Leader at Growth Hub Stockton - well done Pete you smashed it! Second place was Luke Liddell, Workplace H

Claire Maoudis from the Cancer Awareness team tells the story of her breast cancer diagnosis, the importance of attending screening appointments and her journey to becoming a passionate Cancer Awareness worker. “My cancer was discovered through a routine mammogram. I attended my first mammogram at the age of 47 and then again at 50 at 53. Two weeks after my last appointment, I received a letter asking me to come back for further tests. Within two days, I was having biopsies,

A pioneering community and workplace initiative has had success in supporting people across County Durham have potentially life-saving conversations about cancer. Delivered by Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), the Cancer Champions programme has trained local volunteers known as 'Cancer Champions'. Their role is to raise awareness of cancer symptoms, encourage participation in screening programmes and support earlier access to health services. Cancer Champion Officer Paula To

Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is delighted to share that it has been awarded second place in the Great Aycliffe Town Council Best Community Garden Awards 2026. This achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and community spirit that has gone into developing and maintaining the Community Garden at the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) in Newton Aycliffe. Graham Barker Centre Enterprise Development Manager, said: “The Garden is a welcoming and vibrant space for lo

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