Community challenge participation, hayley cheetham
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Hayley Cheetham participated in the Community Challenge project which involved researching the charity CANW (Child Action North West). She attended an informative meeting on CANW's history and operations. Hayley then conducted interviews with two CANW employees to learn more about their work. All the information gathered was compiled and later used to create two short films highlighting CANW's efforts. Hayley participated to gain experience managing her time as a student and to raise awareness of the important but lesser known work of local charities like CANW. The project provided valuable learning experiences for Hayley and helped promote the charity.
Community challenge participation, hayley cheetham
- 1. Community Challenge Participation Hayley Cheetham (BA HONS) Social Science-(first year) 1. What did you do in your participation in the project? My participation in the Community Challenge project consisted of a number of things, firstly attending a very informative meeting on the history and day to day running of CANW (Child Action North West) which was the focus of mine and the rest of the teams research. This was followed by two interviews with CANW team members, Faith Marriott and Karen Walker, after many weeks of meetings and research we finished with a magnificent Away Day where lots of ideas, plans and general information were shared and learnt from. 2. How did you do it? I conducted my interviews on the premises of CANW at both their Old Orphanage site and main office in Wilpshire and their facility on Preston New Road. I arranged in advance to meet the employees in their place of work, when talking to them in situ it gave me as an outsider more of a feel for the work they do. I interviewed Karen and Faith separately but asked similar questions, both ladies had previously been in very lucrative positions within a well-known, global company, but my bewilderment as to why they left these positions and their passion for working for a charity soon became clear. After meeting with these dedicated ladies I typed my interviews up which were subsequently shared with the rest of the challenge participants. The interviews were filmed later on down the line, this saw the collaboration of us as a research team with the film and media students to create two short films highlighting the charitable, hard work done on a daily basis by these amazing people. 3. How did you participate? I participated in the project firstly by listening to instruction and making clear what was expected of me as an individual and as a member of a team. Once our aims and outcomes were clear I set out independently to arrange my interviews and meetings. I believe I have good people skills which made the interviews less formal but very informative! When all the information was gathered I was involved with the filming process which took place on Blackburn College premises. The filming saw me asking some of my interview questions again but this time the responses were recorded and used to promote and highlight the work of CANW. 4. Why did you participate? I took part in the Community Challenge to firstly prove to myself as a mature student that I could manage my time efficiently and effectively and make a contribution that would have some worth. Also, when I knew who we would be involved with (CANW) that made me more determined to be a part of it, I feel strongly about charities, especially childrens charities and their work, but feel too much emphasis is put on worldwide, global charities and not enough attention is paid to the smaller, localised groups and their efforts. CANW has fascinating roots and history, its founder gave his time and personal wealth and showed such selflessness to help the unfortunate people of his parish and it is comforting to know there
- 2. are still people out there willing to work for reduced salaries and in harder conditions both physically and emotionally to carry on this marvellous work. I became involved to get the work of CANW out there, I consider myself to be well read and informed, yet I did not know the extent of the work done by this charity, I am sure there are many like me! I also became involved to prove to future employers that I am prepared to do what is asked of me, to show I am a team player and that I can contribute on different levels. Everything I do in my university life is still a learning curve but I hope to prove that it is never too late to learn and acquire new skill sets. 5. Was it of value? It was of value in many ways, as previously mentioned, for me personally it has opened up a whole new way of looking at studying and taught me that I have lots to give in differing areas. What I can add to future CVs I hope will make me stand out to future employers, hopefully somewhere down the line CANW may see as a potential employee and I will be able to show my passion for charity work where it is needed. The whole project has also been valuable in the fact that it has highlighted the hard work and dedication that is put in by our lecturers, for most, regular day to day work in a university and writing and delivering lectures would be sufficient enough to keep any them on their toes, but to go that bit further to build the reputation of our university and its standing is very commendable.