County Durham Community Foundation 
Roman visit Pioneering Care Partnership.
A Newton Aycliffe business with a long history of giving has visited a charity it supported through the pandemic.
The team from Roman Ltd, the UK’s largest shower manufacturing plant, spent Wednesday morning with the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) also based in the town, to learn more about the adult day service, Options.
Roman Ltd had awarded the Options service £3,590 to use on educational activities and day trips in May last year, two months after the first lockdown began. Since 2005, Roman Ltd has been making impactful grants through its fund with County Durham Community Foundation.
David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman Ltd, said: “This is the third time we have funded the Pioneering Care Partnership as we are always so impressed by the quality of what they do and the way they have created a community that supports local people.
“It’s been great to meet the members who use the Options service and to hear how the service has been adapted to keep people in touch through lockdown – safe to say I think some people would be very lonely without this service and we are delighted that we can support in this way.”
“It’s been wonderful to see the Roman Ltd team connect with a superb local charity and to support its crucial work through the years. We know these grants have made a tremendous difference and particularly during the pandemic, when charities like PCP have had to adapt so quickly. We are proud to work with this generous local business that has supported many wonderful causes over the years of our partnership.”
Michelle Cooper, chief executive of County Durham Community Foundation
To date, Roman Ltd has awarded £15,000 to local projects that create opportunities for people who are disadvantaged by disability, poor mental health or financial inequalities.
PCP Chair Barry Knevitt said: “There is something really wonderful about a grant like this that allows us to add the touches that make the PCP so special. It’s about making someone smile or laugh and knowing they are really enjoying themselves. We like to create that quality of life for people.
The gazebo was one of the items it allowed us to buy and it has been great as it allows our members to break out of the classroom but stay warm and dry. It gives some extra space while we wait for the extension to be built and it’s really important to make the most of our outdoor space as it’s still the safest place to be while the pandemic continues.”
Options is PCP’s longest running service, founded in 1998 for adults with learning and physical disabilities. The service helps members grow in independence and make positive choices, teaches skills and helps friendships to flourish.
The service is member-led, with the adults who attend choosing activities and how to spend their time – crafting, dancing, learning and gardening are just some of the popular activities. The group also enjoys celebrating occasions like Christmas, Easter and Halloween with the wider centre – with costumes and discos a welcome addition.
Project development manager Jane Buckton said: “It has been extremely difficult throughout the pandemic but we did manage to get the Options day service online. Some of our members are still joining us online because they are clinically very vulnerable so it is great that they can still interact with the group and keep in touch. One member returned recently and one of his friends was just so excited to see him in real life. It’s those moments that mean so much.
The Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is a leading award-winning charity whose mission is Health, Wellbeing and Learning for All. PCP aims to support the development of individual and community capacity by creating opportunities to improve the health, well-being and life chances of disadvantaged communities.
