ACHIEVEMENTS of a health and wellbeing charity were celebrated at its base in Newton Aycliffe.

The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) welcomed Phil Wilson MP, the Deputy Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Cllr Mary Dalton, her consort Cllr Sarah Iveson, along with partners, volunteers and staff to the 19th Annual General Meeting. As well as managing the Pioneering Care Centre, on Carer’s Way, which had over 365,000 visits during 2017-18, the 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’.

Carol Gaskarth, chief executive, 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 7,000 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.”

The PCP also said a fond farewell to a number of supporters, including Melanie Fordham, who stepped down as PCP’s chair after three years and almost ten years as a trustee.

For details about the PCP call 01325-321234.