Manx Telecom has donated equipment to Corporate Personal Development (CPD) based at The Children’s Centre’s Community Farm. CPD is a professional learning and development consutancy run by The Children’s Centre which offers leadership and management programmes to corporate, public and charitable organisations across the Island.

CPD uses physical and mental challenges and scenarios to simulate business environments and bring learning to life and utilises various types of outdoor projects to put teams to the test. One of these challenges involves one team member building a tower out of beer crates while on a rope supported by their colleagues. Mark Payne, CPD Trainer and Learning Consultant, said the challenge is used as a practical example to promote discussion on the role of trust in teams, leadership, and how delegates deal with anxiety in the workplace. He thanked Manx Telecom for its support and added that the company’s contribution had helped to create a valuable addition to the facilities offered by CPD.

Since CPD was established eight years ago it has developed a reputation for offering a unique on-Island opportunity for organisations from all sectors to access high-quality, bespoke, experiential learning and development for a wide range of clients. John McChesney, Human Resources Director at Manx Telecom, said: “CPD offers tremendous benefits to the Island and we’re delighted to support the project by enhancing the facilities it has at the Community Farm.”

The Community Farm, where CPD is based, is a project run by The Children’s Centre at Wallberry Farm on the Carnane Estate just off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas. The farm was opened in January 2011 with the aim of creating a community facility offering children, young people and other community groups from across the Island a chance to learn, from practical experience, the skills needed to care for animals and to grow crops.