Well done to our Soup Dragon's Den winners - Community Christmas (Chorley)

Through our Soup Dragon’s Den initiative, we are proud to support a group of warm hearted volunteers to make sure that people in Chorley are not alone on Christmas Day. 

Our Soup Dragon’s Den offers the chance for community groups and individuals to pitch for funding through our Community Investment Fund. 

We heard pitches from four community initiatives to: provide Christmas dinner to 200 people; enhance family connections through a stay and play activity; provide locally grown fruit and vegetables at affordable prices to the local markets; and offer wellbeing workshops focusing on herbal plant-based remedies.  

It was the passion of a group of volunteers, referring to themselves as Community Christmas 2025, that captured everyone’s hearts to be voted the winning pitch. 

The group will receive £1,000 from our Community Investment Fund to provide Christmas lunch for those who need it at St George’s Church Hall in Chorley. 

Nathan Benson, lead volunteer, said: “This event has become a lifeline for many—offering not just a hot meal, but warmth, companionship, and a sense of belonging on a day that can be especially difficult and lonely for some in our community.” 

To boost their funding, they are holding Now That’s What I Call a Christmas Fundraising Concert at St George’s Church Hall, in Chorley, on Saturday 22 November, at 2.30pm. Tickets are £7 for adults and £5 for concessions. Book tickets here: Ticketsource

The other three community initiatives will receive £200 from our Community Investment Fund: 

• iHOPE Fylde – A community group led by one of our tenants who has set up Family Stay and Play for adults and their children to have meaningful time together through a range of arts, crafts, puzzles and games. 
• Leyland Community Greengrocers – the initiative aims to bring promote healthy affordable food grown in South Ribble and surrounding areas to local communities. Join the group at Leyland Market on Saturday 20 December for its celebratory launch.
• Rooted Connections CIC – A community interest company who will provide wellbeing workshops, exploring traditional herbal remedies for physical and emotional health.  

Guests enjoyed soup and crumble, served by our Progress Housing Group colleagues at St Mary’s Community Centre, in Leyland. 

Diane Nash, Customer Voice Manager, said: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in our Soup Dragon’s Den event.  

“It was inspiring to hear the incredible work being done across our communities, and to see participants not only sharing their ideas but also connecting with one another—a powerful reminder of the value of collaboration this event brings. 

“Well done to our winners, Community Christmas. We know how much it will mean for people to feel part of a community on one of the loneliest days of the year.” 

• We are now planning our next Soup Dragon’s Den event in May. Applications will open from April. Keep an eye out on our website for more details.