A local partnership has fought off strong competition from across the eastern region, to unanimously win a coveted Dragons’ Den-style award.
The team, made up of members of the Western Suffolk Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership were pitching for funds to stage the acclaimed artheads project, in Bury St Edmunds, next January.
When the 200-strong audience voted overwhelmingly for the West Suffolk entry, by holding up yellow cards, the comment was made that it was like the sun coming up. And the four dragons agreed, awarding double the amount of money requested from £2500 to £5000.
The powerful presentation which won such strong approval included members of the team acting as heckling audience members denouncing the worth of addiction survivors, who then gave their moving, real-life stories.
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership includes district councils, the county council, police, the fire service and the primary health care trust, all working together to reduce crime and the fear of crime, including anti social behaviour and substance and alcohol misuse.
Chief Executive of Forest Heath District Council and Chairman of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, David Burnip, said:
"This is a very powerful project which gives people who have experience of the effects of alcohol and drug misuse an opportunity to articulate their feelings and thoughts to others. Theirs is a powerful message and the extra funding will spread that message to more people."
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Community said:
“The most effective tool we have in raising awareness of the effects of substance misuse and addiction is to hear directly from someone who has actually been there, and about its disastrous effect, not only their lives but on others around them. The first artheads, run last year, exceeded all expectation, both in the quality of the testimonies and audience reached. My thanks go to the team for giving such a compelling presentation and I strongly recommend a visit to the event.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
- artheads will be held on 11 and 12 January at the Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds. It will showcase work from anyone with something to say about alcohol and substance misuse and has previously included poetry, sculpture, video, drama as well as paintings. More information from Sammy Manzaroli, Substance Misuse Officer, 01284 757601
- The Dragons’ Den was held on Innovations Day, held by East of England Regional Assembly. Four other short listed pitches were made by Sport England, Dacorum Borough Council, Bedford Borough Council, and East Hertfordshire District Council.
ISSUED BY SALLY EASTON, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL, Tel 01284 757046 sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
