Issue 13
Compassionate PCP Chief Executive celebrates 20 years of service
Colleagues, volunteers, and service users from the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), gathered to honour one of its longest serving employees.
Carol Gaskarth joined the health and wellbeing charity in 2003 as a Project Coordinator, managing a range of health and wellbeing projects. From there she progressed from a middle management position to become part of the organisation's senior leadership team, becoming Business Development Director in 2007.
Over the years Carol has developed a wealth of experience in strategic project management and business development, which ideally placed her in 2013 when PCP’s founding Chief Executive stepped down and Carol was offered the position by the Board of Trustees.
Heather Brewster, Chair of PCP Board of Trustees, said “During Carol’s 20 years of service, she has truly lived PCP’s values of making a difference for communities across the North East. Under Carol’s leadership our health and wellbeing charity has grown substantially.
"Over the past ten years the people PCP supports has increased from 9,000 to over 81,000, the number of projects has increased from 19 to over 49, turnover has increased from £1,041,069 to £3,366,662, and finally, volunteer numbers have grown from 57 to over 400.
"PCP now also supports over 500 businesses through health, wellbeing and learning interventions. This has been achieved by the expansion of projects and services, to support local communities and expanding operations into new geographic areas, beyond County Durham, into Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Sunderland. To enable PCP to grow, Carol has developed and built the skills and capacity of the charity and its team, including trustees, staff and volunteers."
Carol is supported by a dedicated senior leadership team and staff at PCP, including the newly appointed Deputy Chief Executive, Liz Fisher. She said: “Carol has been instrumental in shaping PCP into the community focused charity it is today. I am thrilled to honour her milestone achievement and bring staff, volunteers, and some of the people PCP support to celebrate Carol’s achievement. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for PCP.”
Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive, said: “It was wonderful to see some of the people PCP support, friends and supporters come together to celebrate my 20 years of service. It’s been fantastic to see PCP grow and develop as a charity.”
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PCP Notice of Annual General Meeting
On Monday 16th October, the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is pleased to invite you to its AGM at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4SF.
PCP is excited to reflect on its last year of making a difference and share upcoming plans and ambitions for the future. The meeting will take place from 11am until 12pm, with a buffet lunch provided to follow.
2023 marks a special anniversary for PCP, as the health and wellbeing charity celebrates its 25th anniversary of supporting communities. With a mission of ‘Health, Wellbeing and Learning for All’, PCP delivers a variety of projects and services that improve lives.
How PCP supports our working carers
Below is a story from a member of staff from the Pioneering Care Partnership, telling their story about how they are a working carer. They highlight their challenges as a working carer, but with the support of the PCP's Carer Friendly Employer Policy and their colleagues, how they are able to balance the two.
"I have worked for PCP since April 2021. Between that time and August 2022 I was the point of contact as carer for emotional and practical support for both my parents who were in their early 60’s. They lived locally to me, whereas my brother lived further down the country. They were living with a number of long-term conditions, didn’t drive, had been shielding as vulnerable since the start of the pandemic and were quite isolated because of this. I would quite often use my wellbeing time during working hours to take them to hospital and other medical appointments...
To confirm your attendance, please contact pa@pcp.uk.net
To read the full story, & find out how PCP support our working carers, please click here.
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10-year-old raising money for Together 21 completes fun run
10-year-old local lad, Bobby Stevens who has Down syndrome, conquered the Darlington Family Fun Run on Sunday 6th August in support of Together 21 (T21).
Delivered by the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), T21 based in Newton Aycliffe provides a wide range of fun learning activities to help children and young people, aged 0 – 17 with Down syndrome to develop key skills. As a member of the group and as a cause close to Bobby’s heart, he was keen to help his fellow group goers.
Through Bobby’s incredible efforts £305 has already been raised, and with a target of £500 on his JustGiving page, he is well on track to sprint over the finish line. A feat that the T21 and PCP family are very proud of.
Joanne Walker, Development Worker/Group Leader for T21, said:
“Everyone at T21 is so proud of his achievement and we are thrilled that he himself chose to support us in raising vital funds. Great work Bobby. You're definitely our superhero.”
Bobby’s dad, also called Bobby said: “He has always loved racing, especially racing me to the shops! I completed the Darlington 10k last year and I gave him my medal, but this year Bobby wanted one that he could win.
“Now he has his medal I couldn’t be any prouder, especially for raising the amount of money that he has so far too. T21 have been so supportive, what Bobby and all the kids get out of the project is amazing.”
If you would like to show your support for Bobby and Together 21 you can by visiting his JustGiving page by searching www.justgiving.com/page/bobbywilliamson-1685131630365.
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Options BBQ!
On Thursday 20th July, Options hosted a BBQ at the Pioneering Care Centre, Newton Aycliffe.
It was great afternoon filled with glorious sunshine, and delicious food.
We hope everyone who attended had a great time!
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Staff Spotlight -
Bobby Hewitson
Can you give an overview of your role?
In my current role as Project Development Manager, I work with the Senior Leadership Team to help achieve our mission of Health, Wellbeing and Learning for all. I work with both internal and external staff within a constantly changing and evolving environment. I don't work directly with the public but do find time and enjoy dropping into services and sessions to meet people and discuss their experiences. I'm employed on a full-time basis and work flexibly, from home and across the county. My PCP base is currently at Pioneering Care Centre in the very quaint and peaceful garden pods. I've only been employed since 1st June 2023 so am still finding my feet. I have the responsibility of overseeing Wellbeing for Life, the Resilience Service, Workplace Health, ROAD and Community Mental Health Transformation. Each project is unique, special and contribute equally to our mission.
Describe a day-to-day in your role
It's hard to describe a day in my role as no two days are ever the same. Some days are filled with meetings, some with
training, some with networking and many with what seems to be a never-ending chain of emails! Most importantly, they are filled with good people and laughter. Every day, however, is a joy and reminds me of the passion I have for health improvement, community engagement and the ongoing need in addressing health inequalities across County Durham.
What do you like about working for the PCP?
I only started in June but have already been impressed with the positive, supportive culture that exists across the organisation. I guess my memorable moment so far was the delicious strawberry cake at Carol Gaskarth's 20year service celebration in July. The one thing I try to achieve every day is my best. During my time working as a teacher that's all I asked of the children. I think it transfers quite seamlessly into any profession and particularly into my role here.
What is the most rewarding aspect of the role?
A mix of emotions - happy, proud, humble. The strength, determination and resilience of people always enthuses me, whether they be clients or colleagues. We are very fortunate to be in a position to help people and that opportunity should never be taken for granted. That is what drives me forward every day. I'm part of the Senior Leadership Team and we work closely together to support the projects we lead across the region.
Read Bobby's full staff spotlight here.
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Healthwatch Middlesbrough to host 'Blood, Sweat & Tears' Menopause event
On October 18th, Healthwatch Middlesbrough is hosting their 'Blood, 'Sweat & Tears' menopause event.
The Healthwatch team is inviting a GP specialist in this field as well as specialists in nutrition, diet and alternative medicines to HRT as keynote speakers who you will be able to pose questions to in the Q&A at the end of the event. A range of relevant stalls will be available throughout the event for people to get information and advice from about things from wellbeing to lifestyle.
Food will be provided at the event and Healthwatch will hear personal experiences from different communities to highlight what they found that worked for them and highlight issues we need to consider for support.
For more information, please click here.
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Healthwatch County Durham Hospital Waiting Times Survey
Healthwatch Stockton- onTees: Growing Older, Planning Ahead Survey
Healthwatch organisations across the Tees Valley are working together in partnership with the North East and Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) to deliver a local response to the national requirement to improve the planning process for when families can no longer support their family member to stay at home.
The Healthwatch team would like to know what the needs are of those aged 40+ with a learning disability, what would make the transition easier as those people get older, what currently works well, and what could be improved.
Healthwatch want to ensure sufficient and adequate services are in place for those with more complex needs.
Thank you to all who came along to our Summer Fayre!
On Saturday 19th August, the PCP held their Summer Fayre! We would like to say a big thank you to all who attended.
We had a total of 269 people attend the Summer Fayre this year! Thank you to all who attended, and to the staff that helped us make this event a success.
We hope you all had a great time!
It is important that services know what this looks like and how it feels for individuals going through the process. Your views will help to understand the baseline of what local help is available now and what you think could be improved.
Click here or scan the QR code to access the survey.
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The PCP August Community Roadshow!
On Wednesday 23rd August, the PCP Community Roadshow took place at the Newton Aycliffe Youth & Community Centre.
We had a total of 18 stalls, each providing support and advice on a wide range of topics such as finances, dementia, COVID19, gambling, mental health and more!
Thank you to all who came along!
Our next PCP Community Roadshow:
Thursday 16th November 10.00am - 12.00pm
Family, Fun & Food!
Over the month of August, we hosted four free Family, Fun & Food sessions, which aimed to provide families with an afternoon of fun, followed by a hot meal for everyone!
These sessions took place on the 9th, 10th, 30th and 31st of August, and saw a range of fun activities taking place, including pizza making, arts & crafts, face painting and more!
These activities were followed by a lovely meal prepared by our Garden Kitchen! Meals such as spaghetti bolognese, chicken kebabs with jacket potatoes, pizzas and burgers!
The events were a great success, with 104 people attending in total!
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Our Macmillan Coffee Morning is back this September!
On Thursday 28th September, PCP is excited for the return of its Macmillan Coffee Morning!
During the Macmillan Coffee Morning, PCP will be providing free tea and coffee, and sweet treats will be available to purchase, with all proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support.
As well as refreshments, the PCP staff will be competing against one another in the PCP Star Baker competition.
PCP staff can bake their own cakes for the Star Baker Competition, ready to be judged by the Great Aycliffe Town Council Mayor and Mayoress.
We hope to see you there!
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Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP)
For any enquiries regarding this publication, contact jenny.lee@pcp.uk.net
Registered Office: Pioneering Care Centre Carer's Way Newton Aycliffe DL5 4SF
Tel: 01325 321234
Email: enquiries@pcp.uk.net
Website: www.pcp.uk.net
Pioneering Care Partnership
Pioneering Care Partnership
@PCPandCentre @PioneeringCare @PioneeringCare
