Community ‘Dragon’s Den’ invites residents to bid for cash

Published by KBarnes for New Charter Housing Trust Group in Housing and also in Communities

Residents are being invited to bid for money for community projects in a new ‘Dragon’s Den’ style project.

New Charter, which looks after some 15,000 homes across Tameside, has set up its own ‘Community Dragon’s Den’ project based on the idea of the BBC 2 hit TV show.

In the BBC programme, contestants bid for cash by presenting their inventions or business ideas to a panel of experts who decide if the project is worthy of their investment.

Although New Charter’s version will not be televised, it will take a similar format in that ideas will be presented to a panel made up of two tenants and two housing officers.

Applications have now opened and tenants or residents’ groups are being invited to come forward with projects focused around community learning or teaching others new skills.

Projects should benefit others living on New Charter’s estates and could include arts and craft-based work, carpentry, photography, or an activity which teaches people a new language.

Tony Powell, New Charter’s executive director for neighbourhoods said: “This project was a resident’s idea and we’re really pleased that we’ve been able to work with tenants to develop it further and include them in the judging process.

“There are a lot of tenants who do some excellent work in our communities and Community Dragon’s Den is about giving them a helping hand with money to get a project off the ground or continue an existing project.

“Applications are now open and we’re excited to hear from tenants who have projects that promote community learning.”

Application forms are available from the resident involvement team on 0161 331 2416 or by downloading a copy at www.newcharter.co.uk/MyCommunity/GetInvolved/events.asp

Completed forms should be emailed to sue.cox@newcharter.co.uk or sent to Sue Cox, Resident Involvement Team, New Charter Housing Trust, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT. The closing date for entries is Saturday 30 June.