Celebrating workplace wellbeing – Better Health at Work Award

County Durham holds

Celebration Event

Organisations across County Durham recently celebrated wellbeing in the workplace with the County Durham Better Health at Word Award’s (BHAWA) Celebration Event.

The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is proud to deliver the County Durham BHAWA, that recognises the efforts of prioritising wellbeing in the workplace.

Those who attended the celebration event heard from Optimum Skills Limited, Hopewood School, Advance Learning Partnership Learning Partnership, Andy Airey from 3 Dads Walking, Amanda Healy - Director of Public Health, Jane Sunter - Public Health Strategic Manager, Michael Shannon - Public Health Strategic Manager and Carol Gaskarth - Chief Executive of PCP.

With the key message of health and wellbeing it was appropriate that a special guest speaker in Andy Airey from 3 Dads Walking, spoke at length to attendees about suicide awareness.

3 Dads Walking raise awareness about suicide throughout the UK due to their daughters taking their lives three years ago. Since then, they set out on a mission, doing walks and talks across the UK to raise money and awareness on suicide.

Karen Stubbings, Project Lead of Workplace Health at the PCP, said: “We had a fantastic afternoon with some amazing speakers, it was great to hear from those who attended to celebrate wellbeing in the workplace.

“I encourage any organisation to join the award, we give them guidance and informative training opportunities to support staff with different topics such as cancer awareness, mental health, financial wellbeing, and more. Awarded organisations from the BHAWA have reported a rise in productivity amongst staff, proving it to be a worthwhile focus for organisations.”

To find out more about the award, contact workplacehealth@pcp.uk.net or visit betterhealthatworkdurham.co.uk for more information.

PCP Befriending Services expands to support communities

What started out as a couple of people attending the befriending group, quickly grew to over 20 people joining weekly.

The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP)’s Befriending Services offers an in-person befriending group. Ran by volunteer, Jean Griffiths, Jean credits the group to making a difference and offering a friendly space. She said: “The befriending group is so lovely, and a true necessity.

“I know people from the group who have moved from different areas and are trying to make friends, and I had that myself, moving from Liverpool to up north in the 1980s, and it is daunting trying to make new friends.

“Having a second day will make it easier for those who want to come to the group but may not have been able to on the original day and time. It gives everyone a chance to get out the house, talk to people and make new friends.”

Delivered from the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) in Newton Aycliffe, the befriending group is now offered on a Tuesday from 12.30pm to 2pm and a Thursday from 12.30pm to 2pm.

The befriending group offers people a chance to meet new people for a friendly get together, to share stories, have a ‘cuppa’ and even enjoy a quiz! The befriending group is free, with all ages welcome and refreshments provided.

Carol Gaskarth, Chief Executive of PCP, said: “PCP’s Befriending Services have supported over 900 people since 2020. What originally began as our Every Call Counts phone service created in the pandemic to offer a friendly voice in difficult times, led to the creation of the popular befriending group.

“I invite anyone who may be interested to pop along to our next befriending group. For any questions, you can contact our Befriending Services on befriending@pcp.uk.net or call 01325 321234 for more information.”

For additional information visit our Befriending Services webpage by clicking here.