The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) was delighted to welcome Phil Wilson MP, the Deputy Mayor of Great Aycliffe Cllr Mary Dalton and her Consort Cllr Sarah Iveson, along with partners, volunteers and staff to the 19th Annual General Meeting recently.
As well as managing the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe, which had over 365,000 visits during 2017-18, PCP delivers a wide range of projects and services across the North East supporting the Charity’s mission of Health, Wellbeing and Learning for All.
It was a poignant event as we celebrated another year of achievements, inciting both tears and laughter during the morning. Those present where touched by our speakers, who shared stories about volunteering in Sunderland; accessing Together 21 a project that supports children with Down syndrome; and the help health trainers provided to the gypsy Roma traveller community. The common theme centred around the positive impact PCP services have had on their lives and how their confidence, knowledge or self-esteem had improved.
Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive, spoke about the highlights from the past year and said, “PCP’s annual report provides a snapshot of the year and during 2017-18 we had much to celebrate. PCP received the highest accolade awarded to voluntary organisations – the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – and our volunteers continue to provide fabulous support giving over 7000 hours service to PCP, equating to £63,000 of donated time.
“PCP also received national recognition through the RSPH National Workplace Health and Wellbeing Award 2017 and a National Public Health England (PHE) Commendation for Reducing Inequalities at a Community Level, one of only two awarded across the UK.
“I am privileged to lead PCP, which is respected for being a responsive, dynamic and forward thinking health and wellbeing charity. Adaptability and creativity have been key to PCP’s success. Our team of trustees, staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure our projects and services are excellent quality for the people we support, thank you to them for their work throughout the year.”
Finally we said a fond farewell to a number of ardent PCP supporters, including Melanie Fordham, who stepped down as PCP’s Chair after 3 years and almost 10 years as a Trustee. Melanie said, “Trustees take their governance responsibilities very seriously and I am indebted to them for their work. As I come to the end of my tenure I wish to thank them for their support, I will miss working with them very much and wish the organisation the very best for the future.”
If you would like to find out more about the work of PCP please contact Kath Ferry, Chief Executive’s PA, Tel: 01325 321234, Email: kath.ferry@pcp.uk.net
