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Issue 7

Healthwatch Sunderland successful appeal Let’s make mammograms easy Healthwatch Sunderland demonstrate how self-advocacy works in joint appeal for easy access to breast services. A devoted independent champion for health and social care is letting communities have their say on issues to support easy access of services and information. Through working together with Sunderland People First, a group of self-advocates with learning disabilities and autistic people, the Healthwatch Sunderland team met Sharon.

Tara Johnson, Project Lead of Healthwatch Sunderland, said: “Sharon told our team that she received an initial invitation for a mammogram in an easy read format, but then she was recalled to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further tests. “The letter to recall Sharon for further tests was not in an easy read format, and she was not able to understand it.” Through working with Sharon, and wider research, Healthwatch Sunderland found that recall letters after a mammogram were not available in an easy read format.

Tara added: “Healthwatch Sunderland took action and highlighted the issue with Public Health England and then worked with NHS England and NHS Improvement, with a fantastic outcome of four different recall letters available for hospital breast services to use all around the country. Sharon and Healthwatch Sunderland's Engagement Officer, Wendy Hadlington Healthwatch Sunderland would like to thank Sharon for sharing her story, as without her concerns we may have never known there was a gap in access to breast services. Sharon, said: “When I received the letter to go to the hospital I didn’t know what it said, as it wasn’t in easy read, this made me nervous, but I spoke to Healthwatch and now I feel really good that we have been able to help so many women across the country who need easy read letters.” Sharon has been a founder member of Sunderland People First since the start in 1994. Sharon has recently announced her retirement after 28 years of outstanding work as a selfadvocate, campaigning for the rights of people with a learning disability. Sharon has shared how important it is to have made such a difference supporting women with a learning disability to attend Cancer screening programmes, she said: “People need

easy read information at the start to understand what is involved. This can help you feel confident to ask any questions and think about what would make your screening appointment easier for you.” The team at Healthwatch Sunderland recognise how brave Sharon was in sharing her story about breast screening appointments. This has been a brilliant example of how working together can make such a difference in supporting our communities, both locally and nationally. Feedback to Healthwatch Sunderland can help services spot issues that are affecting care for you and your loved ones. If you would like to talk about any health or social care issues in Sunderland, get in touch with Healthwatch Sunderland. Call 0191 514 7145 between the hours of 9:00am and 16:00pm, email healthwatchsunderland@pcp.uk.net or text 07418 364 340. To find out more about Healthwatch Sunderland, visit www.healthwatchsunderland.com

3 Celebrating one year of COVID resilience It has been one year since the County Durham COVID-19 Resilience Team launched and it continues to thrive and help people across the County. The service is community-based and provides support to individuals and families, not in crisis, living or working in County Durham who have been emotionally impacted by COVID-19 and the pandemic. Donna Sheavills, Project Lead of the County Durham COVID-19 Resilience Team, said: “The long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the pandemic have been shown through the referrals into the service. “Our team have achieved so much in one year, with 100% of clients reporting they are satisfied with the service and our offer of support. Together we will continue to work in partnership to support

communities move forward from COVID-19 and the pandemic.” The service has helped people using many techniques and practices, including establishing and validating impact of COVID-19, setting goals of where they want to see themselves during and after the programme, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Behavioural Activation therapy (BAT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). Support is delivered through working on a 1:1 and group basis, with the team partaking in national health campaigns to help support in a holistic approach. May marked National Walking Month and our COVID Resilience Workers and clients went for walks boosting mental wellbeing. So far, 83% of clients show improvement for overall life satisfaction and mental wellbeing within the first six sessions, it

has been a hugely successful and rewarding year for the service! One client commented: “I’ve kept everything to myself over the last few years and it’s eaten away at me. Working with you has helped me realise I need to access help for my thoughts.” Another client said: “I've had support from many other professional services over the years, but I've never felt that I could be as open and as honest as I can be with you.” To find out more about the service, visit our webpage or contact covidresilience@pcp.uk.net Check out our new FAQ video below, where our COVID Resilience Worker, Sharon Darter, answered our most popular questions about the service! The County Durham COVID-19 Resilience Team is delivered by the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) as part of a specialist partnership between the community and voluntary sector, Tees Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) and County Durham NHS clinical teams.

Option's members raise deaf awareness Following on from the Pioneering Care Centre's Queen's Jubilee Community Celebration, Option's members enjoyed Jubilee celebrations of their own on Wednesday 1 June, and took the opportunity to raise deaf awareness by wearing noise cancelling headsets! Staff and members were sponsored to wear the noise cancelling headsets, with all funds supporting the delivery of PCP's Options service. Options Services Coordinator, Linda West, said: "I for one found it very hard to hear people talking to me and I found I was shouting at people. We'd like to thank everyone for their support and donations to support Our Options Service."

So far fundraising has raised £40! Donations are still welcome via the Our Options Facebook page. To mark the occasion for Her Majesty, Options members had their own party to honour the celebrations! Members were invited to celebrate and raise a glass to Her Majesty with family and friends welcome to attend. Everyone was in high spirits to kick start bank holiday fun for all! Decked with decorations and a spread fit for a King and Queen, Options members enjoyed the royal treatment with traditional sandwiches, sweet treats and a bucks fizz!

Never mind the rain - over 800 attend PCC’s ‘royal-tea’ party

“We hope we kick started everyone’s long weekend of Jubilee celebrations. I’d like to thank everyone for making it an event to remember.” There were smiles all around as

Decked with red, white and blue PCP’s royal occasion for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee was nothing short of ‘jubilant’ to kick start community celebrations in County Durham.

donkey rides, face painting, live

From homemade sweet treats, children’s activities and live entertainment, over 800 people from local communities were invited to raise a royal toast and enjoy free festivities at the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) in Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday 31 May from 12 noon to 4pm.

Award for Voluntary Service and

Carol Gaskarth, Chief Executive of PCP, said: “A little bit of rain didn’t dampen everyone’s spirits. It was amazing to see communities coming together to honour Her Majesty - and of course tuck into a scone and a ‘cuppa’ with friends and family. “As a charity, PCP wanted to make sure there was a Jubilee celebration for everyone of all ages – with all activities complimentary. “To join in the celebrations, Mayor of Great Aycliffe Town Council Ken Robson, Mayoress Elaine Robson and one of PCP’s devoted founder trustees Carol Briggs attended and saw fantastic performances from Infinity Dance School and the Shine Children’s Community Choir.

singing and dancing, refreshments and regal decorations took over the venue. PCP is proud to hold the Queen’s hosted a special occasion to not only connect communities and have fun, but celebrate and recognise Her Majesty’s fantastic support for the voluntary sector.

Hip, hip, hooray! Celebrating Together 21's graduation day Together 21 (T21) have a lot to celebrate before members enjoy the summer holidays! Three 'tiddlepeeps' enjoyed a special graduation ceremony before heading off after summer to join primary school in September. For the first time in two years, T21 held the graduation in person at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe. Luca, Eve and Elliott graduated from the weekly T21 Friday learning group, as they prepare for new beginnings after the summer break. The trio have been members of the group since they were only weeks old, and will be attending the Saturday fun group to stay in touch with friends. Carol Gaskarth, Chief Executive of PCP attended to deliver medals and certificates to the graduates, all wearing a cloak and hat to mark the occasion. The celebration concluded with every child awarded a medal to celebrate a year of hard work, lots of singing and signing, and a delicious buffet! T21 families showed gratitude to staff members with bouquets of flowers, and a T21 sibling made two delicious cakes to add to the party celebrations.

A perfect end to a fantastic academic year. We can't wait to reunite with T21 in September - but in the meantime... happy summer holidays!

Stockton-on-Tees Community Wellbeing Champions appealing for your views!

Our Stockton-on-Tees Community Wellbeing Champions are working with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Public Health team to better understand the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on our local communities.

community development or planning

The past two years have affected people's health and wellbeing in lots of different ways, and they want to make sure that Stockton-on-Tees residents have the best and most relevant support moving forward.

survey or download a survey and

Support may include additional training, two-way communications, health talks, Q&A sessions,

and delivery of new community health services and projects. Now is the time to share your views and have your say to shape future support available! Visit the online return to SCCC@pcp.uk.net Spread the word about the survey!

Healthwatch launch annual reports PCP is proud to deliver Healthwatch County Durham, Healthwatch South Tees (Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland), Healthwatch StocktonOn-Tees and Healthwatch Sunderland. All organisations have shared their latest annual reports, detailing community health and social care priorities and concerns throughout 2021-22!

Visit Healthwatch County Durham's Annual Report. Visit Healthwatch Middlesbrough's Annual Report. Visit Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland's Annual Report. Visit Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees' Annual Report. Visit Healthwatch Sunderland's Annual Report.

Working together to combat cancer in County Durham meet your local services! Do you know what support is available to you in County Durham for cancer prevention awareness, or support for yourself or a loved one impacted by cancer? Brought to you by the County Durham Workplace Health, an awareness raising event showcased transformative services on your doorstep. Hosted at New College Durham on Wednesday 27 July 2022, from 9.30am until 12noon, the event saw leading services take to the stage, including the PCP's Cancer Awareness team, Northern Cancer Alliance, Macmillan Joining the Dots and Cancern.

Karen Stubbings, Project Lead of Workplace Health at the PCP, said: “It was a great opportunity to bring together a variety of services that support local people with cancer, whether it’s spotting the early signs and symptoms or supporting individuals and their families with the current impacts of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. “We received wonderful feedback for our guest speakers, of which many expressed gratitude to have such a fantastic support network available for the people of County Durham. If you would like to know more about any of the services, please get in touch.”

Catch up with Primrose Lodge Celebrating Pride Month at Primrose Lodge, in Chester-le-Street! Kimberley, our Activity Development Worker, supported residents with craft activities, along with learning the history and meaning behind pride. Residents also celebrated with a barbecue.

Cancer Awareness Team During the heatwave, the Cancer Awareness Team were out and about in County Durham spreading key messages - keep cool, wear a hat and a high protection sunscreen!

PCP's Community Research Team Recently our research team made connections with Bridge Creative's staff and service users. During the visit the group took the opportunity to participate in a brainstorming session centred on ideas for future social activities and fundraising. They also joined them for a short walk through the grounds of Auckland Castle, where we had the chance to speak with several group members who provide us with insight into the lives and experiences of the Bridge community and the services available to them.

You've got a friend in PCP meet befriender Jean

Supporting the delivery of the PCP's Befriending Services, a devoted ‘befriender’ is making a difference through conversation, companionship and a good ‘cuppa’.

worked in the health service most of life, so I asked to join as a volunteer for the Dementia Support Group and I really enjoyed it, but then the pandemic hit.”

With reports of loneliness within communities on the rise, befrienders play a key role in bringing people together to combat loneliness through conversation and friendship.

Jean was no longer able to volunteer for the Dementia Support Group with in-person services on hold, she reflected and said: “I remember Ann from PCP rang and asked if I would be interested in joining the befriending services as a volunteer. For me it started as Every Call Counts, where I called people to chat to them. I had about two or three people that I would chat to regularly.

After moving from Liverpool and settling in Darlington in the 80s, Jean Griffiths originally visited the Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) in Newton Aycliffe to access services herself. She said: “I initially came to the pain clinic as I have arthritis in my back. I started talking to Bev and Annette on reception and they suggested about becoming a volunteer.” PCP offers volunteering across its projects and services, with many volunteers joining to meet new people, try something new and develop new skills. Looking back at why she started volunteering, Jean added: “I went home and thought about it, and rang up the next day and said ‘I’d like to be a volunteer!’ “I didn’t say what I wanted to do specifically, I just said that I like people and that I’m a people person. I used to be an Activity Coordinator in a nursing home and

It’s rewarding that everybody on the phone that I’ve spoken to has said that they enjoy speaking to me. It’s part of why I do it, I want to help people, and if they find the experience rewarding, then that’s rewarding for me and makes me feel like I’ve made a difference." Speaking about who engages with the Every Call Counts service, Jean said: “It’s not all the same, different people with different needs, different backgrounds, and as I say I’m a people person, and I love to find out about people, and with my personal experience too, I feel like I can empathise with what some people here might also be going through. It’s nice to feel that connection.”

16 Following on from Every Call Counts, PCP created a Befriending Group as part of its Befriending Services. The Befriending Group is delivered in person at the PCC and Jean actively supports it as a befriender.

life support for five weeks. He did come home but hadn’t fully recovered, and he got another infection that ultimately killed him at 53 - and you just think it can happen to anyone at any time.

She said: “The group is vital, even without the last couple of years being the way it has been, people do get lonely, 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 here in the 80s, and it is daunting trying to make new friends.

“This changed my outlook on things, life’s too short, and life is for living. This is why I love supporting befriending to try and help people overcome their difficulties in their lives.”

Particularly during the pandemic people have become more and more isolated and depressed, and a few people have said to me that these sessions lift their spirits so much and how wonderful it is, and to have a nice cup of tea.” When asking Jean what befriending means to her, she said: “I’ve had personal experience of caring, as I cared for my husband and mum when they were ill over a period of six years, they have since passed away, and throughout that time I really wish I had someone to talk to. Through my own personal experience I would have liked something like befriending then, so that’s why I agreed to be a part of it. “Because of what happened to my husband, he got pneumonia when we were on holiday, and they thought he got if from the plane journey home. Dave was 51 at the time and was on

PCP’s Befriending Group takes place weekly at the PCC on a Tuesday from 12.30pm to 2.00pm, with all ages welcome to join in. Jean added: “Recently there were two ladies who were in the café and they asked me if they needed to move, and I just said no of course not, why not join us? They joined in and said ‘it was wonderful speaking and meeting new people’ and that what it’s all about. “It’s little activities that can potentially go a long way for people. It’s sharing the experience and bringing people together that’s helpful.” PCP would like to thank our befriender Jean for sharing her story.

Stockton-on-Tees Resilience and Recovery Project Rebecca's story The Community Resilience Worker supported a resident who reported experiencing multiple physical and mental health issues. The participant struggled with bereavement and lacks in confidence when having to leave the house without her daughter. The participant has also been worried about attending an MRI appointment at a hospital outside of Stockton-on-Tees. The Community Resilience Worker supported the participant by coordinating travel and accompanying her to the hospital appointment to help reduce anxiety and stress levels. At the hospital, the participant practiced breathing techniques to help settle her nerves during the MRI.

As part of support, the Community Resilience Worker co-produced a personalised action plan with the participant to support with increasing her confidence, with a goal of the participant feeling comfortable to leave the house alone.

Share your views! The North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has commissioned the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) to conduct research in the County Durham learning disability and autism spectrum disorder (LD & ASD) communities. We would like to start by identifying organisations and groups that provide support services for people with LD and/or ASD, to create a map of local service provision and to identify any gaps. Could you kindly let us know if you provide support services for people with LD and ASD by taking the three minute survey via link or QR code below. Thank you for your consideration and time! The Pioneering Care Partnership Research Team

Open your mobile phone's camera and scan me!

Or visit: https://forms.office.com/r/wpPjVTmuHx

Wellbeing for Life Man vs Fat group celebrates huge success!

The Man vs Fat group delivered by Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) has come to a close, with the team scoring goals and losing pounds! The lads that attended the group took part in fun fuelled football matches and lost a staggering 136.4kg between them! To add to their success, their football skills saw them win the league. From this victory, the lads will be playing in the England training ground, St George’s Park in September. A presentation was held to celebrate the end of the season, with six awards handed out, including the ‘Biggest Loser’ Award, given to Charlie Whitfield, who lost an amazing 22kg this season!

Charlie Whitfield, said: “It's definitely helped me mentally and physically, we are all conscious of what we look like, being involved with Man vs Fat you don't need to worry about that, we are all there in the same boat looking for the same goal.” It seems this is just the beginning, as members have formed their own 11-a-side team. WBFL look forward to seeing updates from the lads, and hopefully spot a few games soon. To recommend anyone to join Man vs Fat’s next season, or see how WBFL can support you, visit wellbeingforlife.net.

View the Pioneering Care Partnership's Annual Report for 2021-22!

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