TV Dragon wants you to

PITCH YOUR PROJECT

James Caan, entrepreneur and ‘dragon’ on BBC 2’s Dragons’ Den is backing a competition for local community groups in Bedfordshire and Luton.

The Dragons’ Den style scheme, PITCH YOUR PROJECT, is looking for organisations that benefit the health, wellbeing and fitness of their community with the support of volunteers.

Whether it’s running a sports club, befriending scheme, or patient support group, if the project has a great idea for making a difference with volunteers, they could win £2000 cash when they present their project and ideas to a panel of experts.

James Caan, who listens to innovative ideas on the BBC show, said: “My advice to organisations pitching is to prepare by putting yourself in the shoes of the Dragons and thinking about the sort of questions they might ask.”

“We have so many people on Dragons’ Den who pitch a variety of business ideas, so this project is an interesting opportunity to learn about ideas for improving people's health and wellbeing.”

Five shortlisted projects will be given £250 to develop a plan for using volunteers, as well as receiving face to face advice from a panel of experts in communications, design, health and volunteering.

Kath Sharman from SHINE, winner of the previous round said: "Today was great fun!  We learnt a lot as it was an opportunity to sit down and identify some of our weaknesses and how to overcome these challenges.  The team provided a new perspective on these, and some of the suggestions we'd have never thought of!"

"It was nice meeting with the different projects, everyone was willing to share, and it had a real feeling of celebration. To others thinking of applying I'd say 'have a go.”

PITCH YOUR PROJECT is run by TimeBank in partnership with the NHS Foundation Trust Network and is looking for innovative and effective ways in which volunteers can support the delivery of health and wellbeing services. These may be either inside or outside of the health system. They may be based in the community or within an institution.

Project Manager Jane Dawson says: “Voluntary groups have good experience of the particular issues they care about, but often lack the knowledge or resources to take their ideas to the next level.  The Dragons want to find innovative solutions to the health problems facing our communities not frighten anyone away - we are more like lambs than dragons". 

PITCH YOUR PROJECT is running throughout the Bedfordshire and Luton Foundation Trust areas. It will be filmed on the day.

To find out more or apply please go to  http://www.journeystohealth.org/

Or you can ring Jane Dawson on 0845 456 1668 email her at j.dawson@timebank.org.uk

ENDS

Press enquiries, Alex: media officer 0207 7856390 email for images or interviews at a.delaney@timebank.org.uk  

Notes to editors:

-   Pitch your Project is a competition run by TimeBank’s Journeys to Health initiative, TimeBank was funded by the Department of Health to challenge traditional assumptions about volunteering in health

- For more information about what constitutes an NHS Foundation Trust go to the policy section of the Department of Health website. www.dh.gov.uk

-   Deadline for applications is 30th June 2008

-  TimeBank is a national campaign raising awareness of the benefits of giving time and inspiring a new generation of volunteers. www.timebank.org.uk  Registered charity No. 1073831

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