Issue 5
National Garden Grant a
Carol Gaskarth, Chief Executive of
‘growing’ success for PCP
PCP, said: “Our Community Garden is a thriving space used by many
An award scheme that has donated over £63 million to nursing and health charities, has shined a light on a local Community Garden.
community groups, including our own transformative projects. “We’d like to thank the National Garden Scheme for its kind donation
North East charity, the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), is delighted to ‘root’ support from the National Garden Scheme, that is passionate about celebrating the physical and mental health benefits of gardens.
of £1,310, that will not only contribute
PCP’s projects, Options for adults with learning and physical disabilities, and Together 21, for children with Down syndrome, actively use PCP’s Community Garden in Newton Aycliffe to enrich lives through educational activities.
PCP’s Community Garden is
to supporting the development of our Community Garden, but honouring it as a natural resource for the community.”
supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, and the recognition is a testament to the fantastic work they do in maintaining the space.
Next round of community grants on offer in County Durham
grants have provided directly into local
Spreading community cheer, the Happiness Hubs grants programme is appealing for organisations to sign up and receive up to £7,500!
The new grant scheme enables local
Giving back to communities in County Durham and Darlington, the County Durham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and health and wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), is thrilled to relaunch the next round of funding from a total of over £70,000.
between 12 and 18 months, with the
Applications are now open, with a cut-off date for applications at midnight, Sunday 6 March, 2022.
which will provide non-crisis mental health
Sandra Roberts, Project Lead of Mental Health Services at PCP, said: “The Happiness Hubs funding provides safe spaces and activities for local adults to meet, make friends, talk and feel supported, with the ultimate goal is to help people to live a happier, healthier lives whilst promoting mental health and personal resilience. “PCP is delighted to be delivering support through the Happiness Hubs, with funds from previous grant applicants supporting veterans, new mothers, men and women, older people, young adults, people with learning disabilities to name a few. “If you are unsure whether your community group or organisation meets the criteria, get in touch and our team will be happy to support you with your application questions.” So far, it is estimated over 700 individuals have benefited from the support these
communities within County Durham and Darlington.
community groups and organisations to apply for revenue grants of between £500 and £7,500 to fund projects lasting funding being a part of County Durham CCG’s commitment to Community Crisis Care Transformation delivery. Grants from the Happiness Hubs can be used to launch or extend current projects, support. Applications will be reviewed by a panel in March 2022, with any applications received after this date to not be reviewed until following round of funding. If you would like to find out more or receive an application pack please contact Jane Cunningham on happiness.hubs@pcp.uk.net or call 07715 204462.
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Craft and chat session
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3 Stamp It Out Support #TimetoTalkDay 2022 Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) partner, Stamp It Out Partnership Hub in County Durham, are currently promoting Time to Talk Day through a brand new comic designed by one of their own!
activities including a screening of I, Daniel
The mental health anti-stigma campaign, is focussing its Time to Talk Day around Anti Stigma Kid (ASK), a superhero created by Stamp It Out trustee and Anti Stigma Ambassador Peter Swan. The comic launched in 2020 and followed Anti Stigma Kid as he travelled around County Durham challenging misconceptions about conditions like OCD and depression. Time to Talk Day will see the launch of the second instalment, which looks at mental health and its relationship with other issues like race, sexuality and gender. The comic will be distributed to schools, employers and community groups on Time to Talk Day.
county.
Anti-Stigma Kid’s creator, Peter, said: “I created Anti-Stigma Kid so that a serious message could be conveyed in a visual medium accessible to people of all ages. I believe that the colourful graphics can help capture people’s attention and interest and show people that stigma associated with poor mental health can have very real consequences. These comics will be distributed at Stamp It Out events and will be left at various community locations including libraries, doctors surgeries and community centres. The comic gives the reader ideas about how they can themselves help to challenge stigma and discrimination.”
reach out and start a conversation about
The Stamp It Out Partnership Hub in Country Durham are also involved in a number of other Time to Talk Day
the conversation, and running a UK-wide
Blake by the charity Waddington Street Centre, a get-together for Anti Stigma Ambassadors and sharing resources with voluntary sector organisations across the
Chris Affleck, Stamp It Out Partnership Hub Coordinator, said: “We all have mental health and by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. Time to Talk Day gives us all an opportunity to reach out, talk, listen and find support and, after the last two years, this is arguably more important than ever. We know that many people have yet to have their first conversation about mental health so we are pleased to be offering opportunities in our local community for people to come and take the first step. However you do it, mental health this Time to Talk Day.” Time to Talk Day 2022 is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, See Me with SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) in Scotland, Inspire and Change Your Mind in Northern Ireland and Time to Change Wales. It is being delivered in partnership with Co-op. The partners are supporting communities across the UK to encourage mental health conversations by providing free resources, including tips on how to have awareness campaign.
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Frailty Link Worker -
The role of a Frailty Link Worker is to
new case studies launched
engage with patients as they are discharged to ensure their health and
Improving health and wellbeing for patients at Darlington Memorial Hospital, the Pioneering Care Partnership's (PCP) Frailty Link Worker, Debbie Fox, works as part of a wider team of hospital link workers to support patients. Through her role, Debbie works with patients that are being discharged from hospital to support them in getting active, helping them through social isolation or loneliness, and can also signpost a patient into groups or services most suitable to them. She also works closely with a patients family and friends, who are often concerned of their loved one's wellbeing.
wellbeing is prioritised when at home to prevent a return to hospital. Debbie has supported numerous patients, all with unique lifestyles and home situations. Meet George* (*names changed) who has kindly shared their story on how Debbie has supported them as they were discharged from hospital.
Debbie Fox, Frailty Link Worker
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Wellbeing for Life
Tammy Parke is a Wellbeing for Life
promote Veganuary
Practitioner based in the North Durham Hub. She has said: "Cooking
Did you know, by going meat free or vegan just one day a week, you'd be giving your body more nutrients and fibre, whilst doing your bit to save the planet? Veganuary 2022 has been a huge success for many who have given it a go, and we can't wait to hear the benefits people have seen! This month has allowed Wellbeing for Life Practitioners to try delicious vegan recipes, which were uploaded to their YouTube channel in January.
plant based has been fantastic, the recipes are easy to follow and most include the same spices so no need to buy too many. An added bonus is not having to worry about cross contamination. I’m quite surprised by how good everything tastes, how packed full of flavour it is, how filling they are and not to mention is it so much cheaper than buying meat, dairy and eggs." If you're interested in trying a vegan diet, even if you only do it once a
Tammy, who has been vegan for over two years, took classic meals and turned them vegan, starting with spaghetti bolognese and a mushroom stew! There is also a 'Bean Burger' recipe coming next week, all recipes you can try at any time by visiting the WBFL YouTube channel!
week, they've collected some delicious recipes for you to try at home! Please visit their YouTube channel for more information.
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Garden Pods at the Pioneering Care Centre
The Garden Pods at the Pioneering Care Centre, Newton Aycliffe are underway, with completion set to be very soon! Bringing the office outdoors in the Community Garden, watch this space for a sneak peek of the finished pods coming soon...
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New beginners pilates class launches at the Pioneering Care Centre
New to the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, a Beginners Pilates class, with a second class launched to accommodate demand. First class on Thursday 3rd March from 1pm to 2pm is sold out, with a new class now taking place from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
To join in with a class, contact Melanie Flinders on 07838198133 or email melanieflinderspilates@gmail.com
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Missionaries ‘shovel’ support
“I’d like to thank missionaries, Denton
to shape accessible
Hardt from Arizona, and Nephi
woodland garden
Robertson from Birmingham for all their hard work and commitment.” “As a wheelchair user myself, I am
The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is proud to welcome the addition of a wheelchair accessible woodland garden. PCP Lead Community Garden Volunteer, David Cockburn, is bringing a vision to life with the helping hands of missionaries from as far as Arizona.
over the moon to receive support from the visiting missionaries, who have worked so hard on supporting plans for the Community Garden development.” The Community Garden is based at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, where PCP projects Options, for adults with physical and learning
Work is currently underway to transform PCP’s Community Garden, with the addition of new pathways and plants in accessible reach, wooden seated areas and new shrubs, ferns, climbers and woodland flowers.
disabilities, and Together 21, for
David Cockburn, said: “The Community Garden is used by local community groups for sensory and educational activities, and the developments of an accessible woodland garden ensures the space can be enjoyed by everyone.
missionaries enough for joining our
children with Down syndrome, regularly interact with the space as part of their service. Carol Gaskarth, Chief Executive of PCP, said: “We can’t thank the PCP volunteers to support our mission in creating a space for all.” This development work is part of a large project underway in the PCP Community Garden, where Garden Pods are currently being constructed.
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Married couple join
Nikki, who is now The White House’s
Healthwatch Stockton as
Registered Manager, joined in a work
Community Champions
placement role in 1999. Since then, she has performed almost every role. She said: “It’s a badge of honour for me to have experienced such a wide
The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is proud to deliver such a transformative project, that is Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees, supporting communities to have a voice on health and social care issues that matter to them. PCP has fantastic volunteers spread throughout the region, devoting their time and commitment to a range of projects and causes that matter to them. Ben and Nikki Brown from The White House care home in Stockton are Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees' latest Community Champions, who have shown an outstanding effort in their roles and gone the extra mile for residents and their families throughout the pandemic. Their achievements have also been awarded with an excellent rating (the highest rating awarded) from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their story… For different reasons, both have always had a caring nature and a passion for putting others before themselves.
array of roles within the same setting. I feel it has kept me very grounded and has helped to shape my approach to leading a successful care team.” Deputy Manager and husband Ben, began life in the care home as a dayto-day housekeeper in 2007, but quickly progressed through different roles as a Health Care Assistant, Senior Health Care Assistant, then as an Activities Co-ordinator. He attributes his love of care to one of his two sisters, who has a disability known as Angelman Syndrome. Ben helped to care for her in his youth, so says he has a natural instinct to look after others. He said: “My upbringing was amazingly unique. It gave me a unique sense of humour and a very personal approach to person centred care – both of which help our care home and the residents.” Their passion, commitment and experience make them stand out from many others in the sector, and the good practice they deliver for residents has a lasting effect on colleagues who work within the care home.
12 Outstanding ratings are hard to come by too, but their positive approach to lockdown, alternative ideas (which allowed family members to see their loved ones throughout the pandemic), and meticulous approach to ensuring the White House is always in top condition, is what gave them the edge upon inspection.
Nikki echoed her husband’s words: "I hope we can become a good example to other care homes in the area. Despite the hardships of the pandemic, it’s made people realise that health care assistants are professionals, and that they deserve huge recognition for what they have done recently… and what they
The future… Ben and Nikki now say that they plan to continue in the same vein and provide the care and support they say their residents deserve. Ben, said: “We’ve had some great opportunities provided by Stocktonon-Tees Borough Council recently as well. This has helped us improve and implement new systems and services, which have showcased the improvements for all to see. We’ll continue to work closely with them, so I can only see the future being even brighter for our residents. “Even if there are more challenges ahead, we’ll face them and tackle them as best we can.” Nikki echoed her husband’s words:
continue to do. “We’re the managers but we’d be nowhere without them. We all work together as one big team, and nobody is any less significant than the other. They are a credit to themselves and the area.” Healthwatch Stockton would like to thank Ben and Nikki for accepting their roles as Community Champions. They’ll be checking in with them throughout 2022 and beyond and involving them in our work priorities in the coming months, showcasing how outstanding care is provided.
Ben and Nikki Bro
wn
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What wellbeing means to us: County Durham COVID-19 Resilience Team
The COVID-19 Resilience Team is a county wide specialist communitybased service for individuals 18 years or over, living or working in County Durham, whose wellbeing and mental health has been affected by COVID19.
You know about the service, now it’s time to meet the team! We asked all of our team members what they do to boost their mental wellbeing...
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Keep up to date with the County Durham COVID-19 Resilience Team on www.pcp.uk.net/covid-resilience-service
16 Throughout March, PCP is hosting health and wellbeing courses via Zoom. These courses are free, involving beneficial welfare techniques and information. To get involved, you must sign up before the 3rd of March. For "Positive You", please contact hannah.farran@pcp.uk.net For "Mindfulness and Meditation”, please contact kathryn.harbin@pcp.uk.net
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Closing soon: Healthwatch
Healthwatch South Tees want to be
South Tees STAR Award
flexible in their approach to
nominations
nominations, but focus on recognising those who have made a real difference to someone's health and wellbeing, whilst going above and
The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP)'s leading Healthwatch South Tees project is proud to announce its third annual STAR Award nominations are open, with only a few days left to nominate! Healthwatch South Tees encompasses both Healthwatch Middlesbrough and Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland. Their team wants to take this opportunity to shine a light on all of the incredible work achieved across South Tees health and care sectors to celebrate the dedication and commitment of staff, volunteers and services throughout the past year. The independent champion for people who use health and social care services hope the STAR Award will also offer the opportunity to share good practice across South Tees. The STAR Award aims to recognise any member of the local community who has helped to make a difference in someone’s health and social care. Anyone across the South Tees locality can be nominated. An individual, team, department, organisation or service can be nominated, whether they are a professional, volunteer, patient or member of the public.
beyond expectations to have a positive impact. Anyone can submit a nomination, based on their own experience, or someone they know. Please provide as much relevant information as possible as this is what will be used to judge against the criteria by the panel. If you need any help to complete your nomination, please contact the team. Closing date for entries is 5pm on Monday 28 February 2022. The categories for the 2022 STAR Awards are: Care & Compassion Community Innovator Excellence in Supporting Others Leading the Way for Change Making a Difference (Volunteer) Valued Service If you know somebody who has gone the extra mile, let their team know with a nomination. Good luck! Contact healthwatchsouthtees@pcp.uk.net to nominate.
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Joining the Dots recognises World Cancer Day
As part of campaigning for Joining the Dots, they recognised World Cancer Day on Friday 4 February by sharing statistics. Did you now 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime? A truly terrifying statistic. Together, we will beat cancer. If you or your family have been affected by cancer, Macmillan Joining the Dots are here to help.
Better Health at Work Award's new website now live! To promote health and wellbeing to organisations in County Durham, the BHAWA has had a website refresh! Visit www.betterhealthatworkdurham.co.uk
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Purple Rose Vaccine Q&A and Vaccine Clinic with the Stockton-on-Tees COVID-19 Community Champions
The Stockton-on-Tees COVID-19 Community Champion team visited Purple Rose at their weekly Friday drop-in session to answer vaccine questions and concerns from members. Fran and Fran G (Nurse Lead for Hartlepool and Stockton Health NHS) a.k.a "double trouble", were warmly welcomed and good dicsussions were had on themes of mixing vaccines, vaccine side effects and misinformation on social media. The following week with the support of Purple Rose and H&SH NHS, a vaccine clinic with two stations was set up in Newtown Community Centre (Purple Rose HQ) and on Hartington Road. Eight people were vaccinated at Purple Rose and 50 at the Hartington Road site - a huge success! Thank you Susan, Fran G and colleagues for making this happen. Connect with the team: @StocktonCovid19CommunityChampions @CovidStockton
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Have your say on Healthwatch County Durham's Work Plan Priorities 2022/23
Healthwatch County Durham wants to prioritise what's important to you when they plan their new work for 2022/23. They will use what we find to ensure the patients and public in County Durham have a voice sharing any good practice or issues identified with the relevant organisations. The five topics to vote on are: The experiences of people visiting loved ones in care homes and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the mental health of people living in care homes The experiences of patients being discharged from hospital, including accessing patient transport from hospital to home COVID-19 has had a significant impact on hospital waiting times and we want people to share their experiences of what it has meant for them being on hospital waiting lists Are patients getting information in an easy to understand way? Is the accessible information standard being used in Health and Social Care services? What are the experiences of patients accessing GP appointments and healthcare services. Are things improving?
The deadline for voting is 11 March 2022. You can also request a hard copy of their survey by calling our freephone 0800 304 7039. Visit www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk for more information.
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Options on Time to Talk Day
For Time to Talk Day, PCP's Options members got together and talked about how to look after their mental health. They know it is good to listen to each other, so members took the time to call our friend who isn't feeling well at the moment, and is unable to come in and see us. Members all felt better for chatting to them, and they definitely made them smile. Later everyone chatted over a hot chocolate and used the Time to Talk conversation starter tool.
PCP Befriending Group PCP's Befriending Group meets on a Tuesday from 12.30pm until 1.30pm. Walk ins are welcome, or you can call the Pioneering Care Centre on 01325 321234 to enquire. Free refreshments, enjoyed with conversation and companionship.
PCP Befriending
Group
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Have your say on menopause support in Sunderland The ‘You are not alone’ menopause group in Sunderland would like to know about the experience either you or a loved one has had when trying to access support for the menopause.
It will also help identify what other support is needed for women of Sunderland when they are going through this most important time of their life.
The findings from the short survey below will inform further training or awareness for clinicians and the general public within Sunderland.
Five minutes of your time can help to make things better for the women of Sunderland. Find the survey link on Healthwatch Sunderland's website and social media.
Healthwatch get together
Recently Healthwatch Sunderland's Engagement Team met with Healthwatch County Durham, Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland, and Healthwatch Middlesbrough to share ideas and good practice.
They said it was lovely to see everyone face to face, share a 'cuppa' and pick each other’s brains! They are looking forward to the next one.
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Catch up with the Cancer Awareness Team Like most projects and services within Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), the Cancer Awareness Team spent a lot of 2021 overcoming COVID-19 hurdles to continue to deliver their vital service to the community. The teams great success saw Andrea Mackrell and Elliott Snowball
spreading awareness across County Durham through virtual classes, pub crawls, supermarket sweeps and lots more! The team have presented their plans for 2022. The PCP Cancer Awareness Team have lots of plans in place to bring you vital information through online sessions and local campaigning, including the recent #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek. PCP staff were given the opportunity to take part in a informative session with Andrea and learn about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and the importance of attending your smear appointment when invited by your GP. Anyone who lives or works in County Durham can book a session to raise awareness on cancer. Contact andrea.mackrell@pcp.uk.net
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Message from team Together 21 You may remember that a certain young lady decided to run the junior Great North Run at the end of last year to help raise some vital funds and to say a big thank you to those helping her sister.
Team T21, said: "We are super proud of you Lily Rose, you really are a great ambassador for T21 Siblings, and show just how important brother and sisters are to our Tiddlypeeps support both now, and in the future.
Team T21 wanted to share that they were one of those groups selected and our wonderful Lily Rose has just sent them an amazing £160.50 to help continue to support her sister and fellow T21 service users.
"You are super star!! A Massive THANK YOU, for all your hard work! Love from your Together 21 family." Together21PCP @Together21_PCP
Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) For any enquiries regarding this publication, contact jenny.lee@pcp.uk.net
Registered Office: Pioneering Care Centre Carers Way Newton Aycliffe DL5 4SF
@PCPandCentre @PioneeringCare @PioneeringCare Pioneering Care Partnership
Tel: 01325 321234 Email: enquiries@pcp.uk.net Website: www.pcp.uk.net
Pioneering Care Partnership