Members of the community carrying out amazing work in Radstock and Westfield have walked away with a number of grants, some up to £500, courtesy of Big Local’s Dragon’s Den event.

The seventh event of its kind took place last Friday evening at Prattens Sports and Social Club, and saw both individuals and groups pitching for grants of up to £500 for ideas which will help benefit the community of Radstock and Westfield. They were then grilled by local dragons, Journal Editor, Becky Brooks, Claire Wynne Hughes, Philanthropy Executive from Quartet Community Foundation, and Craig Shaw, Founder and Group CEO of Advetec. Members of the audience were then able to cast their votes, whilst being entertained by Westfield Voices, and enjoying delicious treats, provided by the SWALLOW café.

Those who won big on the night were Trinity Methodist Church, who will receive £500 to help with the installation of a disabled access ramp; and £500 for Fosse Way School, to help purchase essential equipment to furnish a new training flat. The facility replicates a home living environment, and helps students to learn about basic life skills.

Prattens received £200 to help install new lighting in the hall, which will be more energy efficient, and Radstock Juniors won £500 to take ten young people away on an adventure. The annual residential trip sees young people aged 11–21, affected by a learning disability, enjoy a night away on a residential trip in Southampton. Taking part in all sorts of fun activities, the trip helps build self-esteem and promotes inclusivity.

Another club for young people (and indeed, people of all ages), also benefitted. Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club won £500 to help replace equipment and keep subscription costs affordable. The club has been running for five years, and the money will help to replace gloves and pads.

A brand new initiative for Dragons’ Den also won £500 – the Red Box Project North East Somerset, which will provide age-appropriate menstrual products into local primary schools, preventing period poverty. Government funding recently announced for this initiative is only for Secondary Schools. Anyone wishing to donate supplies can use the drop-off point at the Green Shop, Midsomer Norton.

SWALLOW won £500 to help buy a chiller which will display a new, healthier range of salads, sandwiches and dips at their café in Radstock; the Snails Brook project, in Radstock, won £300 to buy wildflower seeds. These will help increase the beauty and biodiversity of the former miners’ bathing place, which is being restored by volunteers, and is used now for open air swimming.

Exit Stage Left, the local youth theatre company, will use its £500 winnings to help keep the group affordable and will also use the money for hire of rehearsal spaces, music sheets and scripts.

Congratulations also to Westfield Allotments and Garden Society (WAGS), who, having undertaken sterling work locally, introducing people of all ages and abilities to gardening in Westfield; have now been allocated wasteland within the new housing development in Larch Court. With a waiting list operating, they hope to provide another six to twelve plots with two raised beds for disabled gardeners. The money will be used to help clear the site, and install essentials such as water and guttering.

Last but not least, John Reynolds was awarded £500 for equipment to enable a new series of talks, ‘Running for Belief’, to inspire local schoolchildren. John will be telling his incredible story with the new equipment, bringing his story to life!

Speaking about the event, Sarah Westell, from Big Local Radstock and Westfield, said: “We just want to say a big thank you to all of those who pitched at our 7th Dragons’ Den – whether you were successful or not, you were amazing, and had great support from the brilliant community of local people; Dragons, volunteers, journalists and entertainers at the event!

“We are looking forward to doing it again next year! I’m also excited to say that we are launching the Young People’s Dragons’ Den this year!

“Young people between the age of 12 to 21 have a great opportunity to come up with a plan to make a difference to their community and access money to make it happen!

“It will take place on Tuesday, 18th June, 5 p.m in Westfield Methodist Hall, Wells Road, Westfield, BA3 3UW. More details and an application to bid can be found at: http://radstockwestfield.org.uk/young-peoples-dragons-den/”

Big Local are looking for residents of Radstock and Westfield to complete an online survey, asking for ideas on plans to open a new community kitchen. It can be filled in at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RWKitchen with the chance to win a £50 shopping voucher.