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 children’s 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 CV’s 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.