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

Beverley (‘Bev’) Walker, a 59-year-old woman, has just recently completed the 12-session Eatwise programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) and has described her ‘amazing’ journey. Before accessing WBFL, Bev was not in a good place mentally. Bev described her state at that time as: “not depressed as such, but down. I’ve gone through quite a lot of trauma, and my weight is affected by my emotions.” She moved up from Doncaster to look after her parents, and following the passing

Over the past year, health and wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) knitting group based in Newton Aycliffe, has lovingly crafted therapy dolls, scarves, blankets, and twiddle muffs, each stitch made with care. These handmade items have now found a meaningful new home supporting those with dementia the LiveWell Dementia Hub in Stockton-on-Tees. PCP's knitting group stood behind attendees of the LiveWell Dementia Hub The therapy dolls and twiddle muffs, design

67-year-old Stephen Marshall from County Durham has achieved an impressive transformation - losing two stone, reducing his BMI to 33, and reversing his pre-diabetes diagnosis - with support from Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). Stephen initially weighed 20.5 stone, and his GP confirmed his BMI was 38, placing him in the obese category. He was also diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Alarmed by the news, Stephen accepted a referral to WBFL and joined the 12-session Eatwise programme. Previ

A group of patients from our mental health rehabilitation unit in Chester-le-Street recently took part in a beach clean at South Shields. Patients from Primrose Lodge got involved in The Great British Beach Clean to help make a positive difference. The group made the journey from Chester-le-Street with their equipment and lots of music and conversation along the way. Primrose Lodge works in partnership with health and wellbeing charity, Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP). PCP

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of Wellbeing for Life (WBFL), a service dedicated to helping residents across County Durham live healthier, happier lives. Commissioned by Durham County Council and delivered in partnership by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and health and wellbeing charity, Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), WBFL has empowered thousands of individuals and communities since its launch in 2015. Over the past decade, the service has del

We’re proud to share that Joining the Dots, part of our Adult Wellbeing Services delivered in partnership with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT), has been shortlisted for the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Award at the 2025 HSJ Awards. This recognition comes as part of the Supporting Veterans to Access Cancer Information project, an inspiring initiative that brings together teams across CDDFT to improve access to vital health information fo

Dave Appleby has recently completed the 12-session Eatwise programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). He has lost 53 lbs, he and his family now eat a healthy diet and exercise more and his mental health has been turned around. The process has also highlighted a heart condition which he is now receiving treatment for. His first encounter with WBFL was in September 2024 following a case of whooping cough earlier in the year. When combined with the effects of a previous case of C

Thank you to those who attended our 2025 AGM - it was a great morning talking all things PCP from the past financial year - and we are...

We recently met with Kieren Kemp, a 26-year-old who overcame significant mental health challenges with the support of Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). Kieren's story highlights the importance of personalised support and the impact of addressing both mental and physical wellbeing in tandem. Kieren had been through a difficult time in his life, leading him to a point of severe depression and suicidal ideation. Struggling with low self-esteem and being underweight, Kieren sought he

Leanne and Luke, a young couple from County Durham, have made huge steps in both physical and emotional wellbeing, thanks to the support...

The Workplace Health team at health and wellbeing charity, Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), are pleased to announce the return of their...

The pilot workplace health checks programme, delivered across County Durham by the Workplace Health MOT team since November 2024, ceased to be operational on Monday 30 June 2025 at the end of the service contract.

A vital community hub in Newton Aycliffe is undergoing a vibrant transformation thanks to a new partnership between health and wellbeing...

A group of people who have reaped the benefits of Wellbeing for Life ’s group Eatwise programme have decided to keep meeting each week to...

Retired Teaching Assistant Angela and her husband moved from Rotherham to County Durham to have more access to the open countryside they...

Retired 66-year-old Shaun Dickinson, has lost 44 pounds in weight and reversed pre-diabetes. He has gone from a self-confessed overweight couch-potato to having the inspiration to change his eating habits and join a gym, thanks to support from Wellbeing for Life. We had the opportunity to chat with Shaun recently about his experience with Wellbeing for Life and he explained: “My application for life insurance had been turned down after a GP’s report highlighted that I was pre