The PM Challenge is a competition ran by the Association for Project Management (APM), held each year and is aimed at students or professionals who are starting their career in project management. The challenge involves forming a project team, submitting a proposal, delivering the project and then submitting a final report.
For this year’s challenge, we formed a team with members from RSK Biocensus, RSK Environment, and Headland Archaeology. Together we partnered with Hyde Park Source, a charity which runs numerous community projects in Leeds including community gardens. The project involved planning a welcome event for one of the charity’s community gardens to increase engagement from the local community. To promote the event, we designed and distributed the leaflet in shops, community centres, places of worship and health centres in the local area.
Each year there is a different theme and this year’s challenge focuses on sustainability. We’re aligning with the theme in a number of ways:
· Partnering with a charity that focuses on community wellbeing and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
· Providing deliverables the charity will be able to use to plan future welcome events for their other gardens
· Identifying what the charity actually needs and not spending time and resources on something unnecessary
We used our Volunteering Day to distribute the leaflets and also meet some of the volunteers at the garden. It was great to meet everyone, and we helped the group clear one of the planters and sow some seeds. All of the food the group grows and harvests are split between the volunteers and anything left over is donated to a foodbank in the local area.
We were assessed by the APM throughout the process, providing reports and feedback on progress at regular milestones. Some teams were selected to present their projects at an awards night in April. Unfortunately we weren’t one of those this year, but we have had lots of fun and learned a lot, and would encourage others to take part next year. We will be happy to talk about our experiences.
The Team
Neve Hamilton – RSK Biocensus
I joined RSK in February last year and whilst I had some project experience, I’ve learnt so much more over the last year. I was interested in APM’s challenge as I think it’s a great way to develop my skills and have the chance to help manage a project from start to finish. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the rest of team, discussing our ideas on how we can assist Hyde Park Source and having our leaflet printed and distributed. I’m really looking forward to seeing how our deliverables will help the charity in their community projects.
Hannah Lomas – RSK Biocensus
I joined RSK in October 2025 as a Project Coordinator, and am currently focussing on a specific role within the business as training co-ordinator. My background is in learning operations, though I’ve been interested in projects for a long time and the positive change they can bring about. The APM Challenge is a rare opportunity to play an active part in driving something forward, doing something that’s not the day-to-day role, and putting different skills into practice. I’m also enjoying the close alignment to sustainability and the chance to demonstrate my personal values, which is why I initially moved into this sector.
Isabella Carli – Headland Archaeology
I joined Headland Archaeology in January 2025 as a Geophysics Project Manager. I have worked in commercial archaeological geophysics since 2019, applying a range of techniques on a range of commercial and community-led projects. The APM challenge was a great opportunity to confront me with a project fully out of the ordinary for me, learn more about project management tools as well as get to know my team and prepare useful deliverables for our chosen charity. Throughout the process, I have particularly enjoyed comparing ideas and ways of working with my team members and meeting the charity volunteers.
Brett Thompson – RSK Environment
Joining RSK in 2023, I was part of the first cohort of RSK’s group graduate scheme. After spending time at both RSK Biocensus and RSK Environment I have now been working as an environmental consultant for 12 months. The APM challenge was an opportunity to take the project management skills I have started to develop and apply these to a situation outside of my day job. Working with the charity and community garden has been a highlight but also working with colleagues across RSK and bringing our ideas and skills together.