A Norwich-based charity has proved its credentials after making it to the finals of a top award.

Kim Briscoe

A Norwich-based charity has proved its credentials after making it to the finals of a top award.

The West Norwich Community Partnership is one of just seven groups to make the shortlist for the regional heat of this year's Enterprising Britain Awards.

Earlier this year, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) launched a search to find projects where enterprise has helped transform a community's fortunes, both socially and economically, and helped secure a prosperous future for the local area.

Members of the Stevenson Road-based charity, which supports a wide variety of initiatives and projects involving young people and the community, will now go before a panel of judges for a chance to represent the East of England in the national Enterprising Britain finals.

Scott Porter, partnership co-ordinator, said: “It's brilliant to be shortlist, particularly for our organisation as we are a local charity rather than a direct enterprise.

“Charity and enterprise can work together and it's really positive that EEDA has recognised that it's not just direct enterprises that can benefit a community.”

The charity, which was set up in 1995, is community led and works for the people who live or work in the areas of Chapel Break, Clover Hill, Three Score, Earlham, Larkman and Marlpit.

One of its projects includes working with a group of traders in the West Earlham Centre, which has led to the formation of the West Earlham Traders' Association which not only works together on initiatives such as street fairs but also has larger scale plans for the area, such as installing CCTV and putting in benches.

Meanwhile, support for schools has included an anti-litter campaign, reader mentoring and classroom assistance.

The national panel of judges will be chaired by a representative of BERR and will include Dragons' Den entrepreneur, Peter Jones. The UK winner will then go on to compete in the prestigious European Enterprise Awards at the end of the year.

Sheila Childerhouse, chair of the regional judging panel, said: “The East of England is home to some of the country's most enterprising projects and people. Winning an Enterprising Britain award symbolises the recognition of a regional success story and celebrates best practice in the creation of dynamic, vibrant towns and communities.”

To find out more about the partnership log on to www.wnplive.org.uk

Has your enterprising project been shortlisted for an award? Contact Evening News reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.