Challenge 4 Change Centre

Challenge 4 Change (C4C) is a registered charity, established in 2008. They typically work with young people to develop their team working skills, build their confidence and improve self esteem. Corporate team building events (which is why I was here) are also run regularly, where groups ranging from office workers to professional sports clubs come and undertake various activities.
C4C is managed by Chris Whiteley, a former prison officer, Rugby League professional and sports coach so was born for the job it seems. The afternoon started with a brief introductory talk as to what we should all get out of our time here, together with some thought-​provoking stories of people who overcame serious physical and emotional barriers and left feeling much better about themselves when they’d completed the tasks.
Hearing that a quadriplegic amputee regularly visits to do activities here, seriously brought it home to some of us that we can swallow our misgivings about our abilities and give it a go.
The first part of the session saw us gather in a large side room confronted by a ‘pit’ of car and lorry tyres. We were instructed by C4C staff to perform a series of group challenges — these were all a great laugh and certainly warmed us up (definitely recommend wearing a couple of layers if you’re here in wintertime).
After some other activities on the ground level, our large group was provided with helmets and harnesses and split into two teams with one first doing the ‘Leap of Faith’ and the other climbing up the rope ladders to the roof space. Once you completed one challenge you’d face the other.
For the Leap of Faith, we took it in turns to climb up a telegraph pole to a small platform at the top, then jump and catch a trapeze before being lowered back to the ground. You’re all totally secure with ropes and pulleys — safety here is paramount.
The second challenge in the roof space was an aerial assault course which circumnavigated the whole centre. Again you’re fixed on to a safety rope which you pull around with you all the way. There are roughly a dozen obstacles, ranging from tight-​rope walking to horizontal wall climbing to get through. Once you’re all the way around and back on the ground the sense of achievement is immense.
For a unique and fun experience C4C really does deliver. They tailor the day according to people’s existing abilities (so don’t be put off if you have things like joint problems or disabilities). Everyone (literally) threw themselves into this and the fact we were talking about it for most of the next 48 hours says a lot.