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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Laura* was stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of sudden weight gain, all while coping with physical and mental health issues. Unsure where to turn, she accessed Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) and entered a 12-week one-to-one Eatwise programme over the telephone. From here, Laura’s eating habits changed and her confidence was reinvigorated with the tools she gained. Before the Eatwise programme, Laura thought she was eating correctly. It was only as she started that the realisation

*Margaret* had been smoking for decades when, following a routine GP visit, a health scare gave her the push she needed to want to stop smoking. Margaret had previously tried to quit unsuccessfully and had never tried again despite pressure from her family. Asked what made her more determined this time, Margaret said: “I got quite a scare after visiting the GP and I’ve realised that smoking is bad for me, but also that second-hand smoke is a health risk to my family.” During

A young man overcame significant mental health challenges by addressing his mental and physical wellbeing simultaneously with the support of Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). Kieren Kemp had been through a difficult time in his life, leading him to a point of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. After a 12-week wellbeing programme and building a relationship with his practitioner where he could share the challenges he was experiencing, Kieren had secured a new job, and his frien

‘Positive Exposure: Growth Hub Stockton in Focus’ a new public exhibition from Growth Hub Stockton is open at ARC Stockton. Free and open to all, the showcase celebrates nature‑inspired photography created by members of the Growth Hub’s learning disability service. Philip Wood, Lead Enterprise Manager for Growth Hub Stockton and Seaham, said: “We will be exhibiting around 30 images taken by our photography team who have learnt to use DSLR cameras, with support from our staff

As part of the Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) Ten-year Anniversary celebrations, we caught up with a previous client to see how the service has positively impacted his life. Richard Judd first met WBFL through the community work he was doing in the Consett and Leadgate area. He set up a running club for people hadn’t really done much running before, and contacted the service to say he has a group which people could be signposted to. As time went on, Richard worked alongside Julie,

26-year-old Alex Graham lives with a rare genetic condition which severely affects his ability to use his feet. Whilst waiting for complex ankle surgery Alex had faced significant challenges: low muscle tone, poor strength, and being underweight - all factors that could impact his fitness for surgery and his subsequent recovery. Alex had spent several years mostly confined to bed with little motivation. His mum and full-time carer, Helen, shared her concerns: “Alex has been w

“I had blood in my poo and had been ignoring it but, after speaking with you, I made an appointment with my GP and completed the bowel screening kit.“

As Movember brings men’s health into the spotlight this November, the Cancer Champions Project is stepping forward with a powerful message: early detection saves lives. Every 90 seconds, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. For some, spotting the signs early and attending routine screenings can save lives. The Cancer Champions programme is a new initiative designed to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of common cancers and encourage people to attend vital scree

We recently reconnected with 43-year-old Tony Teasdale who completed the 12-session Eatwise programme with our Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) service ten years ago. At the time, Tony was attending sessions at the Ferryhill Ladder Centre with Talking Changes who referred him to Shaun Gooch – Wellbeing for Life Practitioner, now Coordinator. Tony’s goal was to improve his eating habits. He was struggling with back pain, and he wanted to lose weight and maintain this to reduce the st

Emma, a mother of two, was referred to Joining the Dots in 2024 by the Macmillan Information Centre following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2022. She remained strong, even as she faced a recurrence in 2024 and a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2025. Emma continued to receive supportive care and was surrounded by the support of her community, family and friends. Emma and her husband Dan had dreamed of their wedding day, and thanks to the support of Joining the Dots a

Since joining the Stamp It Out (SIO) partnership network in 2020, the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) has played a vital role in supporting efforts to challenge mental health stigma across County Durham. Initially providing administrative support, PCP’s contribution evolved to include marketing, communications, and the delivery of bespoke training developed through the initiative. As a committed partner, PCP helped shape the direction of SIO’s work, ensuring that lived expe