Partnership creates pathways into employment for local people

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 gain valuable experience and develop workplace skills.

Alongside freshly prepared homemade food, weekly changing menus, quality coffee and affordable meal options, customers can enjoy knowing that every purchase helps support opportunities for local people to build confidence and move closer to employment.

Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Hiyed CIC to relaunch the Garden Kitchen. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

"The Garden Kitchen will provide a high-quality, welcoming service for customers while creating valuable supported employment, work experience and skills development opportunities for people with disabilities and health conditions. By offering real-world experience in a supportive environment, we can help individuals build confidence, develop skills for work and progress towards sustainable employment.

"At PCP, we believe that inclusive workplaces benefit everyone. The Garden Kitchen will not only serve as a vibrant community hub but also demonstrate how excellent customer service and meaningful social impact can go hand in hand, creating opportunities for local people and meeting the needs of our community."

Driven by its mission of 'Health, Wellbeing and Learning for All', Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) works alongside communities to create positive change. Through a diverse range of projects and services, the charity engages with more than 134,000 people annually, helping individuals and communities improve their health, wellbeing and future opportunities.

The Garden Kitchen will offer a supportive environment where people can gain hands-on experience in catering, customer service and hospitality, helping them prepare for future employment opportunities.

Tracy Fee, Director and Founder of Hiyed CIC, said: "The partnership with PCP is so important because both organisations share the same values of improving people's lives, promoting wellbeing and supporting the local community.

“By working together, we can provide real work experience, supported internships, volunteering opportunities and clear pathways into paid employment within the hospitality sector.

“Every purchase made at the Garden Kitchen will help support training and employment opportunities for local people, creating a positive impact on the wider community.”

Hiyed CIC is a social enterprise dedicated to helping people facing barriers, primarily those who are neurodivergent, have a learning disability or are facing other disabilities and health barriers. Through supported internships, volunteering placements and work-based learning opportunities, individuals will be able to gain practical hospitality experience in a real working environment.

Looking ahead, the partnership hopes to expand its catering and hospitality offer to support meetings, events and community functions, creating even more opportunities for learning and development.

Everyone is invited to visit the Garden Kitchen, and it will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 1.30pm and is located at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer's Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 4SF.

For a full look at the menus and offer please visit: www.pcp.uk.net/garden-kitchen