Health entrepreneurs are up to the ‘Chamber Challenge’

Entering a ‘Dragon’s Lair’ might sound a daunting task for some, but in the case of current and alumni students from DN College’s HE provisions, the task was met head-on, as the latest Chamber Challenge was held at the University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL).

Showcasing health-based projects from a wide range of topic areas, four exhibitors took the courageous step, and pitched in front of a panel of judges dubbed the ‘Dragons’, as they sought funding, in order to help launch their respective initiatives.

Delivering a campaign titled ‘Why You Should Smoke’, Daniel Suleiman emerged victorious on the night – subsequently receiving a trophy and a £175 investment.

Daniel, who studied on our Professional Practice in Health and Social Care FdSc programme, used irony as a vehicle for change, with an alteration of mind sets in young people being at the forefront of his ambition.

Reflecting on his experience, he said: “I would just like to thank everyone who was involved in the Chamber Challenge. Especially Sara Brown, for encouraging me to participate in the event.

“Winning the Chamber Challenge has inspired me to pursue this new opportunity even more, and I can’t wait to meet and work with the rest of the team.”

Teodora Narcisa Rusu collected a runners-up trophy and was also awarded £100 to get her vaccination fairytale (written in Romanian and English) off the ground, whilst Erica Dunn and James Gray shared a collective third place with respective projects: Happy Hearts (a cardiac knowledge game) and Smooth Operators (menu cards for people experiencing swallowing difficulties).

Sara Brown, Programme Lead for FdSc/BSc Mental Health and Wellbeing commented: “I am delighted by the high standards of innovation demonstrated by this year’s competitors and so proud of all that they have achieved.

“Creative expression is so important and when academia and creativity are blended, the message conveyed is far more powerful. It takes real courage to present in front of an audience but to pitch an intervention to a panel of Dragons is not for the faint hearted.”