Dragons’ Den style health projectrelaunched in Darlington
The local NHS group that plans and purchases health services for Darlington residents has relaunched a popular health fund, based on the Dragons’ Den television programme.
NHS Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is now inviting applications from the local community and voluntary sector, to bid for funds from a £50k pot set aside to support and nurture health-related projects into practical and inspiring enterprises.
Using a similar format to the well-known television series Dragons’ Den, shortlisted applicants will get the chance to pitch their ideas to a panel of ‘Dragons’, including local GPs.
This year’s Community Innovation Fund theme is ‘Children and Young People’. Applicants to the fund should demonstrate how their project will embrace the CCG’s project goal, which is:
‘To engage our local children and young people in creative and inspiring ways to enhance their quality of life, confidence and health and wellbeing.’
Dr Andrea Jones, Chair of the CCG said: “We were absolutely delighted with the response to last year’s Community Innovation Fund and it was a really tough task narrowing down those applicants to the five successful projects that have been working hard since last December to make a difference in our local community.
“I hope that once again the local community and voluntary groups embrace what we are trying to achieve with the Community Innovation Fund and come up with some exciting and innovative project ideas that can engage and inspire children and young people in Darlington.”
The projects must be linked to the CCG’s Clear and Credible Plan, which is available via Applications will be accepted from community groups, clubs and societies, voluntary sector organisations, registered charities, schools, parish and town councils, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations.
Projects can bid for funds from £2,500 to £25,000 and they must be received by 12 September 2014.
For further information and an application pack, please contact Malcolm Moralee on 0191 374 4145 or Andrea Patterson on 0191 374 4198 .
ENDS
Notes to editors
The CCG launched their Community Innovation Fund in 2013 and was overwhelmed with applications from the local community and voluntary sector. A celebration event will be held later this year to raise awareness of the impact the fund had in the town.
Issued by the Communication and Engagement Team for North of England Commissioning Support Unit (NECS) on behalf of Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group.
For information, photographs and interviews, please contact Simon Clayton, Communications Officer
on 07826 531333 or by e-mail:
Teesdale House, Westpoint Road, Thornaby, Stockton TS17 6BL