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Dragons' Den - 15 November 2010

November’s Dragons’ Den took place at the CBSO Building on the 15 November 2010. The Dragons for the session were Stuart Wigham, Senior HR Practioner, Chief Executives Directorate; Sally Potter, Constituency Director for Erdington, Housing & Constituencies Directorate; Kevin Wall - Directorate Engagement Manager for Adults & Communities and Housing and Constituencies Directorates and Alex Whittard, BEST Workshop Programme Lead, Chief Executives Directorate.

First up in front of the dragons was BEST Leader Foster Darby and his colleagues from Hall Green Play Service. The team want to raise awareness of the importance of children's play and their right to use public spaces to play in. The funding from the den would help resource, enhance and support children play services within local communities, while encouraging the local people to help sustain and deliver local play activities. The dragons were happy to support the bid, they were very impressed with their presentation and thought it was a wonderful proposal. They also offered some help in launching and publicising the idea.

Second to face the dragons were Mae Bourbage and colleagues, from Fox Hollies Environmental Centre team. Over the past few months, the centre has accepted donations of three rabbits plus they are temporarily boarding another two. Some of their existing hutches are not in a good condition despite their attempts to repair them. The team bid for money to improve the living conditions for the rabbits, but also a more inviting space for the children to learn about the animals. The current room is quite dark and could do with a lick of paint. The team gave a thoroughly researched and detailed presentation to which the dragons could not resist saying yes to.

Next up infront of the dragons was Victoria Siekerski from the Elwood Centre Team in the Adults & Communities Directorate. The team are looking for funding to run a card making group at Ward End Library. The sessions would enable Elwood service users to use a Community setting for activities and promote confidence in accessing the community. The team wanted the money to buy equipment for the group and pay for publicity. The dragons felt that funding should be given on the terms that the team develop a small business plan and provide a breakdown of costs. One of the Dragons, Kevin Wall, offered help and support in accreditation for the card making course.

Shairoze Premji and her colleague from the LAC CAMHS Team South, in the Children, Young People & Families Directorate were up next. The team were looking for funding to secure funding to develop their resources and book library which is available to parents and carers. The benefits of this would include enhancing skills and abilities to be able to look after the mental health of the child they care for. The dragons thought that the pitch showed promise but that some work was needed on how much added value there would be. The dragons asked the team to identify a full breakdown of costs and resources needed before a final agreement on funding could be given. However the dragons did agree to fund the team 30% of the orignal request and make a final discision on the rest once they have the requested information.

Last in to face the dragons were Debbie Wilson and her colleague from Mill Pool Gardens Community Day Nursery Team, in the Children, Young People & Families Directorate. The team would like funding to purchase soft flooring (salty flooring) for the baby room. The new flooring would make it more accessible while being safer for children under the age of one. This type of flooring is already being used at other locations and has proven to minimise the severity of accidents. The dragons were more than happy to support this bid on the basis that a full breakdown of how much was needed is provided, along with an estimate on how much could be raised by fundraising.

Congratulations to everyone who braved the Dragons’ Den and survived. The next Den will take place on the 4 February 2011 at the CBSO Building. If you have an idea or want to submit your application, please contact your directorate support team.