News & What's On Guide PRESS RELEASE LOCAL CHARITY RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR INVESTING IN ITS PEOPLE Healthy living charity, the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) has become one of only 2% of organisations across the UK to achieve the prestigious new Investors in People Bronze Award. The nationally recognised quality standard for business improvement through people recently launched a new approach to delivering its standard, which shapes support around the specific need of individual organisations. In addition to attaining the Investors in People standard, organisations can attain a Gold, Silver or Bronze award, which reflects the level of achievement. The new approach will enable businesses to raise standards and improve their management practices. After successfully being re-assessed in 2008, the Pioneering Care Partnership now joins an exclusive group of UK employers who have achieved the new bronze award. The bronze award was presented to a small number of organisations that are considered to be at the leading edge of best practice in people management in the UK. Robert Macleod, Managing Director of Investors in People North East, said “This is a fantastic achievement for the PCP. I would like to congratulate the organisation and its people on their commitment to continuous improvement. Investors in People offers a flexible, practical and easy to use business improvement tool designed to help organisations and their people enhance performance and meet goals. I hope that more organisations in the area will be encouraged to sharpen their competitive edge by choosing to work with us.” Commenting on the award, Jane Hartley, Chief Executive of the PCP, said: “It is an outstanding achievement for any organisation. I am really thrilled that the PCP has been recognised at this level. The award will give the organisation a competitive edge when securing potential future funding, by recognising our commitment to improving business performance and valuing our staff.” The PCP is a local charity, which is based in the Pioneering Care Centre, Newton Aycliffe. It has gradually expanded its services over the past ten years and now employs 43 employees who support the organisation to reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing across County Durham.  **End** ______________________________________________________________________________ Events Come along to one of 12 free events or courses to learn how to cook simple, delicious, healthy, affordable food then Pass It On... County Durham. For more information or to book a place at one of the events or courses please call: 01325 321234 or email passiton@pcp.uk.net Thursday 17th December 2009 at West Cornforth Community Centre, Station Road, West Cornforth   Come along to our free Arts for Wellbeing launch and take part in a number of creative workshops to help you to unlock your inner artist. For more information please contact Lynsey Todd or Liz Godfrey on 01325 321234 or email artsforwellbeing@pcp.uk.net Please view our previous Newsletters below: Newsletter Autumn 2009 Newsletter Spring 2009 Newsletter Autumn 2008