19 Dec Peterborough Strivers inspire panel and press
Our Strive programme with housing association Cross Keys Homes in Peterborough finished this week, with a supercharged panel of ‘Dragons’ for our Dragon’s Den day. The panel included Cross Keys Homes chief exec Claire Higgins, local councillor John Holdich and Fredericks Foundation’s representative Lorna Hollands.
The Fredericks Foundation was set up with a purpose close to our heart, they provide business loans for individuals who wouldn’t otherwise get finance to start our projects. So they are set up to help people just like our Striving Start-ups. Lorna Hollands from the foundation gave invaluable advice to our Strivers, and her support was a real highlight on the awards day. We expect several Strivers to be talking to her about loans in the future.
Cross Keys Homes, now on their third start-up programme, also invited back local councillor John Holdich to join the panel. He was deeply impressed with the potential in the room and his role as a ‘Dragon’ on the Dragon’s Den day really highlighted the community support Strive programmes in the region enjoy.
Carla and her new found fame as a pastry chef!
In addition to a hugely successful Dragon’s Den, we’re delighted to announce that one of our Strivers, Carla Lopes, made it into the local press thanks to her culinary creations. We were all treated to her legendary pineapple cake on our awards day, and she whipped up another for her pop-up restaurant night. Pop-up restaurants are a great way for caterers to get experience and exposure – Carla’s went down an absolute storm!
To find out more about Cross Key Homes start-up programmes, or about Strive support across the country, contact us here.