The transformative project for the community includes two extensions and was officially opened by Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs. Sue Snowden and Alan Strickland MP Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor who attended the launch event on Friday 18 October. The Pioneering Care Centre (PCC) hosted many from across the North East for the event, everybody was beaming with excitement.
The first includes a new hydrotherapy pool and changing facilities, replacing the old pool that was struggling to meet demand. The new pool has doubled in size to support a growing demand for hydrotherapy, with more appointments available.
PCP’s Options service for adults with learning and physical disabilities has benefitted from investment, with a much-needed extension and kitchenette, providing members with more space to learn, thrive and develop key day-to-day living skills.
Carol Gaskarth, PCP’s Chief Executive, expressed her excitement about the improvements and said: “As a charity, this is the start of an exciting journey for PCP, after years of planning, fundraising, and securing grants, PCP invested over £1 million to bring this ambitious project to life and ensure we can continue to support as many people as possible with our charity mission of ‘Health, Wellbeing and Learning for All’.
“Our Options service room has also doubled in size giving members more space to take part in different sessions. We wanted to put Option’s name at the heart of their sessions, giving them more ‘options’ to choose activities that help them develop skills such as cooking, gardening and independent life skills that they can use outside of the Options service.
“As well as improvements for PCP’s Options service, the PCC long offered over 17,000 hydrotherapy appointments annually, but PCP couldn’t keep up with the demand for appointments from people across the region. It shows how hydrotherapy benefits so many people, and the investment into facilities enables PCP to offer more appointments, giving more people the chance to ‘make a wave’ and reap the benefits of hydrotherapy.”
Valuable user feedback has helped PCP ensure new facilities meet accessibility requirements, with improved changing rooms, hoist equipment, state-of-the-art water jets, sensory features, and an overall relaxing ambience where people can come together to enjoy hydrotherapy.
Eileen, a PCP hydrotherapy pool user, said: “My 24-year-old daughter has a rare genetic disorder. She is autistic and doesn’t talk at all. She also has limited mobility. When we go to the hydrotherapy pool, she loves the whole sensory experience. I can tell from her body language that she is relaxed and happy. I am limited in activities we can enjoy together, and we both appreciate the time together including a nice coffee and a sandwich in the cafe afterwards.
“There are definite physical and mental health benefits for my daughter and as a carer I feel it helps aches and pains in my back as well as the emotional boost of quality time spent together.”
Thank you to Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs. Sue Snowden, MP Alan Strickland for Newton Aycliffe & Spennymoor, Great Aycliffe Town Council, Councillor John Clark, and Mayoress, Mrs Bernardette Clark for their kind words about the services PCP offers to local community.
Our centre renovations mark a new chapter for the PCC to benefit even more people with hydrotherapy. Our Options service for adults with learning and physical disabilities will also have increased opportunities to learn and thrive with additional space - and not forgetting a brand new kitchenette donated by Magnet Kitchens.
The icing on the cake for the launch event came from a kind donation from The Farm Bakery Shops. The team donated 100 scones for everyone to enjoy as part of our celebration. Thank you.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has supported PCP on its journey in developing the Pioneering Care Centre as a local healthy living hub for people across the region. Your support as a donor, a client of our services and fundraisers is so important
The centre developments are now complete. Anyone can book to use PCP’s hydrotherapy pool, without a referral to support recovery, pain management or simply to relax. To book a session, visit the Pioneering Care Centre reception desk in the main entrance or call 01325 32124.
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