A local charity is proud to showcase the dedicated work of its growing team of volunteers.
Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is honouring #VolunteersWeek from 1 – 7 June by shining a light on their volunteers fantastic work across North East health and wellbeing projects and at their own headquarters in Newton Aycliffe, the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC).
The PCC has seen volunteers lend a helping hand to maintain the beautiful community garden space for service users and the public to enjoy, which has required a lot of graft.
Carol Gaskarth, Chief Executive of PCP, said: “Our volunteers have proved to be a lifeline to many of PCP’s projects and services, including the PCC community garden space.
“Our community garden has thrived with the support of our team of volunteers, who developed a relaxing space for the local community to retreat to.
“Without the support of our volunteers, we wouldn’t have been able to impact communities across the North East as effectively and for that we are truly grateful for their ongoing support.”
PCP has over 100 active volunteers who offer their knowledge, skills and support across platforms and services that make a real impact to communities and people’s lives.
David Cockburn, a volunteer of PCP since 2014, said: “'Our fantastic volunteers have created a wonderful garden with so many health benefits, I'm so proud to be a part of such a great team.”
As well as voluntary opportunities in PCP’s Community Garden, PCP has welcomed voluntary opportunities across projects Together 21, Options, Healthwatch Sunderland, Healthwatch South Tees, Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees, Stockon-on-Tees Covid-19 Community Champions and the Garden Kitchen.
The Stockton-on-Tees Covid-19 Community Champions have created a Tik Tok to thank their dedicated champions for all their support to help provide factual information to communities.
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees have shared quotes from their volunteers to celebrate Volunteers Week.
Many of our Healthwatch services have actively worked with their volunteers throughout lockdown to maintain their impact of health awareness.
Our team from Healthwatch County Durham have thanked their volunteers with a special video to honour all the fantastic work they do.
Healthwatch Sunderland shared a fantastic quote from their volunteer Audrey, who said: "It was pure chance I found out about Healthwatch but I am so glad I did.
"I love working with people and Healthwatch gives me the opportunity to do that. The entire Healthwatch team are so welcoming and friendly too so I fitted in straight away.
"When lockdown began, I was devastated as it meant all my activities for keeping me busy stopped; from being out and about most days, I was suddenly limited to caring for my eldest sister and walking my dog.
"Healthwatch have arranged Zoom meetings, training sessions and I’ve volunteered to do some research about local nursing homes. I always give myself time for me too, either through meditation or just quiet time."
The doors to the PCC and other PCP services across the North East may be closed for now, but many volunteers have returned to the Community Garden where they can work safely outdoors and abide to Government guidance.
If you would like to join PCP as a volunteer, contact enquries@pcp.uk.net