Example of a Community Challenge: Conservation Dartmoor

Planned event

A one-day team building event held in Dartnmoor National Park, where 11 University volunteers from Psychology Administration dug a large ditch on the River Teign at Steppes Bridge to replace an old drainage pipe with a newer larger one on a footpath/bridleway, and cleared the top soil of moss/leaves off a stretch of footpath/brideway to get back down to hard ground.

Step 1

The Head of Psychology encouraged staff to undertake a Community Challenge for team building.  The administration team responded with this event as an opportunity for team building.

Permission was granted to the team to proceed with 'Conservation Datrmoor' as their Community Challenge.  The Head of School approved the team manager.

Step 2

The team manager discussed this proposed event with Staff Learning and Development (SLD) to plan learning outcomes for 'Conservation Datrmoor' as a team building exercise.  They identified project management/teamwork and collaboration as the key skills to be developed.

Step 3

The team manager liaised with Datrmoor National Park.  They agreed one ranger as a point of contact.  Dartmoor National Park agreed to supply all equipment.  The project team were given the location, agreed time and date and confirmed the number of volunteers.

Step 4

Carried out risk assessments - this was done by the team manager in collaboration with the Datrmoor National Park ranger and the team members, and approved by the Safety Office.

Implemented appropriate safeguards - took along first ait kit.

Briefed team members - each team member was aware of the programme for the day, the risk assessment and what clothing to wear.

Letter of intent - sent to, signed and returned by the ranger.

Step 5

This was the all important planning for the day's activities; working with team members and the ranger to firm up what each team member's role was and what their responsibilities were.

Step 6

'Conservation Dartmoor' is held.  the risk assessment form was taken along, as there could have been problems on the day to face and meet, such as some team members not arriving on time.  The only decision the project team manager and the nominated ranger had to resolve what additional activity could be achieved, as the pipe laying had been completed ahead of schedule.

Step 7

After 'Conservation Datrmoor' the team reflected that they had a thoroughly enjoyable day and were really pleased with what they had achieved.

Step 8

Staff Learning and Development were sent the names of participants and the Community Challenge was recorded on Trent HR for each team member on their Personal Learning Account.

Step 9

Two weeks later Staff Learning and Development contacted the team members with the standard anonymous evaluation form for learning events.

Most said that they gained skills they could use back in the workplace, eg problem solving in a group.

Comments included:

"A fantastic experience and a great sense of satisfaction to the results of our hard work."

"Doing something for the community."

"Getting out of our normal environment."

"Team building."

"Physical labour."

"Understanding of team dynamics in a non-standard environment."

Step 10

The ranger reported back that he found the volunteers very friendly and incredibly useful.  He was very grateful for the work undertakena nd would welcome a similar group again.

Step 11

'Conservation Datrmoor' was the first event recorded for 2010 Corporate Responsibility monitoring.