Welcome to Child Action Northwest Child Action Northwest (CANW) is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. In 1886, James Dixon established Blackburn Orphanage to provide accommodation for orphaned and destitute children from Blackburn and the surrounding area. Its income was derived from donations, legacies and local fund raising events as there was no welfare state at the time. Today Child Action Northwest (CANW) continues to evolve in accordance with the demands placed on our services to meet the needs of todays children, young people and families, across the Northwest. CANW provides a broad range of services that fall into four categories: CANW has a dynamic approach to promoting best practise, positive outcomes and positive life changing experiences to encourage and support children and young people to reach their full potential.