The Candidate go Wild!

After a glorious bout of sunshine through May and June, we thought that a team, camping adventure in the Lake District would be an excellent opportunity to welcome the newest members of The Candidate team, and for the existing team to get back to team basics! So we signed up for a 2-day stint on Dan Searson’s ‘Challenge the Wild’, which encourages a sense of adventure which undertakes a number of physical and mental challenges over 2 days.

Heading out of sunny Manchester we drove towards Mordor, I mean Coniston. It was a scenic trip through valleys, beside lakes, driving on sweeping country roads, and with the help of a few locals, we found ourselves at the campsite. Where the sense of excitement mixed with fear was complemented with grey clouds and unsettling winds. We all huddled together and got ready for the challenges ahead. We broke into two teams headed up by managing partners Brian Matthews and Colin Telford. Then we set off on our adventure.

Over the next two days, the weather was kind to us as we crawled through tunnels, up waterfalls, down waterfalls, abseiled and canyoned into freezing cold water. Every one of us put our limits to the test, each challenging, and some overcoming fears. With the true team spirit coming through in the form of encouragement, support and praise from everyone as they put themselves out of their comfort zone. But of course, there was also lots of fun had, lots of singing and joking along the way, as we covered nearly 40k in 2 days. In the evening the campfire was lit and we kicked back! There was a temporary whiskey bar opened called ‘Colin’s Tavern’! Here we found a fine selection of whiskey from the Managing Partner’s personal selection! After some campfire antics, it was time to refuel in the fish and chip shop and then head to the local pub ‘The Sun Inn’ for a ‘Brian’s Bingo’, which had lots of weird and wonderful prizes. From parrot hats through to fluffy toys, you name it, we had it. The top prize went to one of our latest recruits, Beth Francis, who bagged a stay in Ibiza and £200!! Not bad for a nights ‘Bingo-ing!’

The following morning after canyoning, it was time for us all to pack and head back to Manchester. We were all physically and emotionally exhausted but took home with us a great sense of achievement and team spirit. We had definitely regrouped and welcomed our newest members and they all felt well and truly part of the wider team.

Dave Mullan, Recruitment Executive said ‘Never when I signed my contract at The Candidate did I would be starting on a Monday and abseiling off a 50-foot cliff on a Thursday! What a great first week it was and a welcome I will remember for the rest of my career’

Brian Matthews, Managing Partner said ‘We had wanted to do this for a few years now and with the great weather we thought this was the best opportunity. Seeing how our teams challenged themselves and performed did not surprise me but I think they surprised themselves. We wanted them to feel like they had achieved something and I am delighted that they all left feeling like they had.’

If you like the sound of this and other trips like this, and great development opportunities for all levels in Recruitment the get in touch and you could be on the next trip! Contact us here!