CanTeam with Hatcham
Blog written by Aliyah, student volunteer and team leader of the CanTeam Crew at Haberdashers’ Hatcham College.
Introduction
At our school, the CanTeam program offers students a chance to make a real difference in the community through collaborative projects and leadership opportunities. Part of the school’s elective program, CanTeam brings together students with a shared interest in service, leadership, and teamwork. I first heard about CanTeam during the elective sign-up process, where it immediately caught my interest due to its hands-on approach and its focus on giving back to the community.
CanTeam is a student-led initiative that focuses on organising and executing events and campaigns that aim to create positive change both within the school and in the wider community. The program encourages students to develop a variety of skills, from event planning and marketing to communication and team leadership.
Throughout my time in CanTeam, I have had the privilege of serving as an Event Manager, a role that allowed me to be at the forefront of coordinating numerous activities. As an Event Manager, I was responsible for organising logistics, coordinating with different teams, and ensuring that all events ran smoothly. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that taught me invaluable skills in leadership and problem-solving. Being a part of CanTeam has not only helped me grow personally but has also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the elderly community in my area.
My CanTeam journey:
Participating in CanTeam as a volunteer has been an incredibly enriching experience into work life, one that has allowed me to develop a wide range of skills while also gaining deeper insight into my own strengths and weaknesses. One of the key skills I’ve developed is event management. As an Event Manager, I’ve learnt how to plan, organise, and execute events, balancing multiple tasks under tight deadlines. I’ve also honed my communication skills, working with various teams, vendors, and community partners to ensure everything run smoothly. Coordination, problem-solving, and adaptability have been crucial in navigating unexpected challenges during event planning.
In addition to technical skills, CanTeam has also taught me a great deal about leadership. Leading a team requires empathy, clear direction, and the ability to motivate others. I’ve learnt how to delegate effectively, listen to diverse perspectives, and ensure that everyone feels valued and heard.
On a personal level, CanTeam has made me more self-aware. I’ve discovered that I thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and enjoy taking on responsibility. However, I’ve also realised that I tend to take on too much at once, wanting to ensure every detail is perfect. My biggest challenge has been learning to delegate more effectively and trust my team members. To overcome this, I’m focusing on improving my delegation skills, recognising that a successful event is the result of collective effort, not individual perfection. By leaning into teamwork and embracing collaboration, I know I can become a more effective leader. One piece of feedback that hit me the most was when a lady said “I don’t like taking the bus between 3-4pm because of the the young people, but I’ve realised they are really kind so I’ll use the bus at this time in the future”.
Final Thoughts:
Looking to the future, I can confidently say that being part of CanTeam has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my school years. If you’re someone who enjoys working with others, making a tangible impact, and developing real-world skills, I would absolutely recommend joining CanTeam. It offers the chance to grow as a leader, build meaningful connections with peers, and contribute to projects that benefit the entire school and community.
CanTeam is an ideal platform for anyone interested in event planning, leadership, or community service. It’s a space where you can discover your strengths, challenge yourself, and gain experiences that will look impressive on your resume. So, if you’re passionate about making a difference and expanding your skillset, don’t hesitate—get involved in CanTeam. You won’t just learn how to manage events; you’ll learn about yourself and develop skills that will help you succeed in the future.
My experience with CanTeam has been a transformative journey of personal growth, leadership development, and community impact, allowing me to sharpen my event management skills while working alongside passionate, like-minded individuals.
Background:
CanTeam is an after-school social dining initiative co-designed with young people that encourages students, their families and local communities to enjoy nutritious and delicious food and activities together.
Launched by Future Foundations in June 2023, CanTeam aims to embed a transformative food culture within schools, enabling young people and communities to thrive.
Over the first 6 months of the initiative, CanTeam was funded and supported by the Big Change Big Education Challenge to develop the concept, consult beneficiaries and test the idea. In January 2024, CanTeam was announced a winner of the Big Education Challenge and is being supported by Big Change to scale across the UK.
In partnership with Haberdashers Hatcham College, Haberdashers Academy Trust South and Impact Food Group, we piloted a CanTeam planned and run by Year 12 students in their enrichment classes. They had 5 weeks from launch to their festive dinner. Click here to read more about the pilot event. A second pilot will run in the Spring term.
We are excited to continue developing CanTeam and the impact we can have on the health and wellbeing of young people and their families throughout the UK.
Find out more:
- Read about CanTeam, our BIG idea for change here
Get in touch, if you think you can help…
- Email: jon@future-foundations.co.uk
We are looking for schools and partners who share our vision and can help us pilot CanTeam at scale.