Uprisers win cash for social action in Dragons’ Den

Young leaders of the future pitched for money to support social action campaigns in a Dragons’ Den style challenge.
Bedfordshire Uprising Dragons' Den style challenge. Picture: Rebecca Massey PNL-140314-093405001Bedfordshire Uprising Dragons' Den style challenge. Picture: Rebecca Massey PNL-140314-093405001
Bedfordshire Uprising Dragons' Den style challenge. Picture: Rebecca Massey PNL-140314-093405001

The UpRising Leadership programme hosted its Bedfordshire Dragons’ Den at Putteridge Bury campus, Luton on Monday, March 10.

Four groups of young people successfully pitched their social action campaigns to a room of more than 100 education, media, council and business leaders across Bedfordshire.

The winning team were Luton-based group, Open Avenue, who presented their campaign to bring alternative careers advice for students in Years 9 to 11.

Three Bedford groups pitched exciting campaigns – all three runners-up all got £200 toward their projects and received lots of interest and support from those who attended the evening.

Blood Party are looking to promote blood donation to young people in Bedford.

Bedford Empowering Enterprise will be bringing The Teenage Market, an initiative started in Stockport by brothers Tom and Joe Barrett, to Bedford with community entrepreneur and editor of The Clanger, Erica Roffe.

Three cultural cohesion events will be run by the Empowering Community and Education group; all members of the group have different cultural heritages but were born and bred in Bedford and have a passion for increasing cultural integration in the town.

Professor Mary Malcolm, University of Bedfordshire Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), said: “This was a fantastic evening – showcasing the talents of Bedfordshire’s young leaders, and demonstrating the support of community organisations across Bedfordshire for the work of this important charity.  As a University that places great value on the development of leadership skills, the University of Bedfordshire is delighted to be one of UpRising’s key partners in this region, and it was wonderful to see the strength of commitment and real potential shown by this latest cohort of UpRisers.”

The HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis presented the prizes and said: “I was extremely impressed with the quality and enthusiasm of the young people who presented to the Dragons’ Den.

“They have clearly benefited from the support of UpRising and are developing into a powerful group of future leaders.”

All prize money for the social action campaigns was donated by the Rotary clubs Bedford, Luton and Biggleswade who attended the event.

This year’s UpRising Bedfordshire programme will have 45 places available from October 2014, increasing from 30 in 2013.

The programme is open to any young people aged 19-25 with an interest and a passion for social action and personal development. The UpRising Bedfordshire programme is funded by The Harpur Trust as part of their grants programme and by the University of Bedfordshire.

For further information contact the Bedfordshire and Luton Programme Coordinator, Alex Wrack on [email protected].

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