About

We want to find exciting and innovative ideas for using volunteers in health and wellbeing projects.

Whether you work inside or outside the health system, run a sports club, befriending scheme, patient support group or nutrition programme; if you stand out from the crowd, we want to hear from you.

Pitch your Project has been set up by the national volunteering organisation TimeBank and Think Public in partnership with the NHS Foundation Trust Network to support volunteers in health.

We are looking for…

Projects that can think creatively and laterally about developing their volunteer base
Projects which involve their clients and volunteers in developing their ideas

Why you should apply

If your application is shortlisted you will be invited to a pitch day where you will receive:

£250 expenses to develop your pitch
Free expert advice and support to grow your idea

The winning pitch on the day will be awarded £2000 to get their idea off to a great start.

Your Pitch outline should include

a model of how a project might increase their volunteer numbers
a measure to show how that increase will add value to the organisation

James Caan, entrepreneur and ‘dragon’ on BBC 2’s Dragons’ Den says:

“Nothing can compare to the challenge of pitching your idea to a panel of experts in front of a camera. It really sorts the wheat from the chaff. This project is an interesting opportunity to learn about ideas for improving people’s health and well being.”

What happens on a ‘Pitch’ day?

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to spend a day at the hospital in which the competition is being run.

You will have a range of resources and advice available to you in the Green Room while waiting to pitch your idea to our panel of dragons, and to help you develop your idea once you’ve met with the dragons.

Who are the dragons?

a member of the Foundation Trust’s Board of Governors
a member of the Social Enterprise funding body UnLtd
a media ‘Dragon’
an expert from the voluntary sector

The pitch, including any advice given, will be filmed to create an online resource and inspiration for other voluntary and health organisations to learn from.

All organisations applying to the scheme will have online access to the ideas, tips and advice captured on the day to help inspire them to develop their own project.

If you have any queries please email n.towers@timebank.org.uk
or call 02077856401.