FIVE innovative projects to support people and communities in Inverclyde have received funding after making Dragons’ Den-style pitches.
Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) worked with The Lens, a charity which works with public and third-sector organisations to encourage their employees to identify areas at their work which they believe could be developed.
Throughout the four-month-long process, HSCP employees working in adult services developed their ideas. They were then whittled down to a final five which made it to the investment event at The Beacon with a share of £55,000 up for grabs.
The people behind each project made a two-minute pitch to a panel to persuade them to back their proposal.
And the panel –- Councillor Robert Moran, chair of the Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board; Alan Cowan, former vice-chair of Inverclyde IJB; Debbie Maloney, service manager for Innovation and Independent Living and Inverclyde HSCP chief officer Kate Rocks –- were so impressed that all five pitches were given funding to take their initiatives forward.
Councillor Moran said: “This has been a very interesting and positive project to be involved in.
“You could tell from everyone who pitched an idea that they knew what they were talking about and were so passionate about it. Each project is unique and will make a real difference to people’s lives.
“I’d like to congratulate everyone involved and I look forward to seeing these ideas take shape and become reality in the near future.”
The five projects are:
— Community First: A series of pop-up events in the community to link various support services together.
— Diabetes Prevention Support Programme: A specialist diabetes nurse will work with the community in Inverclyde on preventing type 2 diabetes.
— My Inclusive Digi Support: Service users and tenants with additional support needs will receive tablets and access to a specialised app so that they can have a voice in their care plan.
— Little Acorns: A safe space for women in Inverclyde who are fleeing violence.
— Inverclyde Inclusive Radio: A community radio station where the programming is created by people with additional needs, for people with additional needs.
The projects asked for different amounts of funding and all were successful. The £55,000 funding pot will be split between the five projects.
A spokesperson for The Lens said: “We’d like to give a huge acknowledgement to the senior leadership team for trusting the process and creating this opportunity to shine a light on their staff and ideas.
“Also, thanks to The Beacon and Broomhill Hub for the use of their beautiful spaces, which helped the creativity to flow.”
Each project will now be developed further using the advice and feedback from the panel.
