Creative youngsters face 'Dragon's Den' for funding
A project has worked to help young people in the Black Country to make a positive impact in their communities.
The project has seen 64 young people go before a Dragons Den-style panel to try and launch projects they have been working on to help community groups and organisations.
Taking place at Lifecentral Church in Halesowen, the groups of 16 and 17 years olds pitched their projects to the dragons, who are all members of training provider Pilot IMS, which set up the project.
Programme manager Bradley Pogson said the project pitch day was part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) Keep Doing Good programme and explained how the funding for the projects would work.
He said: "The young people have worked to pitch their ideas today about how they would help their communities and, additionally, how much they had raised.
"Some of the groups had raised around £85, while others had up to £200, and the panel would double the amount if they picked one of the projects.
"As an example, we've got one group who are working to help Black Country Women's Aid, with homeless packs for people across Dudley and Sandwell."
Other projects being funded include helping a recent arrived refugee to furnish her new flat and a group cooking more than 250 meals for Cradley Food Bank.
Bradley said the project was one of the final parts of the NCS, which is a programme designed to build confidence, teamwork and skills leadership.
The Keep Doing Good programme lasted for six days and Bradley said it had been an excellent way to bring young people together and help them during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: "We managed to put this together in such a short time and we think it's been absolutely fabulous how this has gone.
"Every single participant has been so positive about the project and it's been great to give them this opportunity in spite of Covid-19.
"Some of the youngsters involved have experienced some life-changing experiences and I believe that experience will stay with them forever."
A total of £400 was raised for charity partners, which Pilot IMS directors doubling this to £800, with an additional donation of £400 being made following completion of the course.
This was in addition to more than 1,900 volunteering hours being made with local charity partners.
Pilot IMS director Spencer Shuter said: "The NCS programme is fantastic for our young adults and the team have worked tirelessly to embed a programme that encourages and motivates them to support each other and their local community.
"The teams raised funds to the value of £400 that was matched by Pilot IMS for a number of excellent community groups including Black Country Womens Aid, Cradley Heath Food Bank and Life Central Church Community Project.
"We are so proud of their achievements and look forward to supporting further groups in the future."
To find out more, go to wearencs.com/keep-doing-good
