Cornwall BIG Design Challenge Launches

A pioneering five month long project, which aims to leave a lasting legacy for the people of Cornwall, has been unveiled.

The Big Design Challenge Cornwall (BDCC) was launched at a special event held at Truro Library on Thursday, November 18.

The challenge is the final Dott (Design of the Times) Cornwall project and aims to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the people and communities of Cornwall.

Challenges already put forward to the project’s website – www.bigdesignchallenge.co.uk- include the issues of affordable housing and rural isolation.

BDDC project manager, Kathryn Woolf, said: “The Big Design Challenge is a practical way to address Cornwall's issues through community action, inspiring local people to come forward with challenges and design solutions that have potential to improve peoples lives.

“We want as many people to come forward and suggest an issue that they think is important to them and to Cornwall.

“Once we have them all we will begin the process of looking at which ones can be addressed.”

During the afternoon guests heard presentations from Kathryn and Dott programme director, Andrea Siodmok, as well as education consultant, Will Coleman.

There was also an opportunity to take part in a Little Design Challenge to kick things off.

Andrea Siodmok said: “When you want to create a big revolution it often starts with small changes.

“We want to empower people to come forward with good ideas, whether it’s someone in the street or Cornwall Council’s chief executive, and begin to make the small changes that can have a real impact.

“The world is changing so let’s seize the opportunity.

“I think this will be fascinating to see how this evolves and moves forward in ways which we cannot predict.”

Between now and Christmas the BDCC team will be collecting challenges and ideas relating to different themes: public services, infrastructure and environment, education and skills, work and industry, health and care and home and community.

The ideas will then be collated and after Christmas six projects will be selected and given six weeks, funding and support to develop them for a Dragon’s Den style pitch, which will see one winner receive a funding pot of £10,000.

Will Coleman said: “Historically, rather than relying on the Westminster Government or even the local council to solve our problems, Cornish communities got on with sorting it out for themselves.

“The Big Design Challenge could provide the catalyst and the crucible for us to rediscover our ingenuity and resilience, and make a difference.”

For more information and to submit a challenge or a solution to an issue that has been posted please visit www.bigdesignchallenge.co.uk.

You can also submit ideas by searching ‘Big Design Challenge Cornwall’ on Facebook, through www.twitter.com/bigcornwall, or by texting 07781 472608 (standard rates apply).