Why volunteer: what’s in it for you?

So you give up your time for the greater good - but what’s in it for you? Here are some stories from volunteers across the waterways. Everyone gives and gains something different. Here’s the story from the horses mouth:

Dan Wickson
Volunteer GIS Specialist

I took an interest in volunteering with British Waterways towards the end of August 2010 and soon after was based at The Dock Office, Gloucester in my new role as a Volunteer GIS Specialist. I worked two days a week and the welcoming British Waterways team quickly made me feel at home.
My position allowed me to work in a diverse range of projects associated with the canal network including; towpath mowing regimes, leak inspections, canal construction and towpath assessments.

Opportunities have been presented to me to enhance my skills both in the office and the field, all the while meeting and liaising with numerous British Waterways staff, ranging from contract managers to engineers.

After five months of learning new and interesting skills I secured full time work and was told that a contributing factor to my employment was that I kept my skills and working knowledge up to date by volunteering.

Richard Craft
Sustrans Volunteer Liaison Ranger,
Route 4, National Cycle Network, Western Wiltshire

I started as a volunteer Ranger for Sustrans about seven years ago mainly because I’ve always been a cyclist, had just retired and wanted to do something useful and practical whilst outdoors in the fresh air.

The main work we do as Rangers is checking the signs are all OK, making sure the route is safe to ride, cutting back vegetation which encroaches on the path and picking up litter. For me this means regular rides along the delightful Kennet and Avon Canal towpath where I always see herons and often kingfishers and meet many different people who are always very appreciative of our efforts. I work with a great team of Rangers and really value the support we get from British Waterways.

Recently we have started an ambitious project to repair the worst of the towpath potholes between Dundas Aqueduct and Devizes with the help and support of the local Community Payback scheme.

Ian Edgar MBE
Chairman of the Inland Waterways Protection Society,
Bugsworth Basin, Peak Forest Canal, Derbyshire

We volunteers are a hardy bunch of committed people of all ages and from all walks of life who sometimes work in difficult and dirty conditions to help preserve and restore our industrial revolution canal heritage. Some of us also volunteer to work at our desk to negotiate with partners or actually join a lively group to repair a lock, bridge or canal. Deep satisfaction is assured. We see long term benefits as a result of our volunteering. Friendships are built and skills we did not think we had we come to appreciate. Once canal restoration has been experienced the friendship and challenge is likely to be there for life. Volunteering is essential if our canals are to be here for another 200 years.

Peter Forrest
Volunteer skipper, Bradford Motor Education Project
(National Community Boat Association member)

I became interested in the canal through a community boat project. I was having difficulty at school because I ‘m not very good with maths. I used to get picked on and this made me quiet but I also used to get angry. The school had tried everything with me and I was offered a short course on the boat. I learned how to drive it, work the locks and how to make a cup of tea for the skipper. The project gave me the confidence to finish school. I became a volunteer for them and even went to Naples to speak at a conference about the project. How is that for confidence!!

I used to enjoy meeting the British Waterways guys who know a lot about the canal and really cared about their work. I even got offered a job as a lock keeper. I’m now back working with the project.

I drive the workboat and we do conservation and environmental work along the canal and river in the area.

Antonio Treglia
Volunteering in BW’s London office

My name is Antonio Treglia and I started volunteering for British Waterways after graduating with a Master’s degree in Economics and Management of the Environment and Tourism in Italy where I am from. After university I went through an assessment in order to take part in a scheme called “Ellepi 2” which is funded by the Province of Trento and the European Community. I was one of the winners and started my placement with British Waterways in London.

British Waterways was one of the companies participating in the scheme and it matched my university degree as well as my aspirations perfectly. During the 8 months I have been here I have had the opportunity to work alongside the finance department on the preparation of the company’s Business Plan, I completed a Canal Lock Evaluation project and I contributed to an asbestos management project.

My time as a volunteer has immensely improved my English language skills as well as developing my professional experience. I have had the opportunity to understand how the company works, to show my attitude towards working and demonstrate the results I can achieve.

Roger Ayers
Rickmansworth Waterways Trust - trip boat volunteer

I have lived and worked around the canals all my life and never get tired of them. I have also been a volunteer with the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust since it started 16 years ago.

It's always fun and I get to meet so many people.

Diane Richards
Canal Keeper – Slough Arm, Grand Union Canal

From growing up next to the canal living next to it as an adult, the canals have always been part of my life and have helped shape the way I appreciate the world. I was a member of the Friends of Slough canal when I discovered Thames21 and, because of the issues our group was trying to deal with, approached them to see if they would like some canal keepers on the outskirts of London. I was delighted when they agreed. There are now four of us and I consider that we are the ears and eyes of the canal. Canal keeping is always combined with other activities for me – walking, cycling to work or my allotment. The thriving Friends Group, the over subscribed residential moorings, the constant leisure use of the canal and towpath are testament to the fact that it’s worth pressing on and achieving the improvements we hope for. A huge thank you to Thames21 for their support.