We’d really like to know what you’ve thought of our project and the activities you have taken part in. What did you enjoy? What could we have done better? What types of things would you like to see us developing in the future?

We really want to know about your experiences  so that we can evaluate our current work and work with you to decide how best to develop Waterways Action Squad in the future.

There are a few ways you can have your say…

• Complete the feedback form- just follow the link – http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YRCQCQM 
• Write a comment on this post – Just scroll down this page and leave a comment!
• Become a Volunteer Case Study for our project – Email simon.colderley@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk to find out more
• Email any of the project team with your comments / ideas
• Help us to consult with other young people and get involved in shaping up proposals and bids to continue the project in the future – Email lucie.unsworth@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk for more details

Please take the time to let us know what you think of Waterways Action Squad. Your comments are very much appreciated and will help us to make the project even bigger and better in the future!

Thanks.

Bell Boating at National Waterways Museum

Last Thursday was a lovely day and we had an end of summer celebration event for Volunteer’s and to celebrate this we had a BBQ, a meeting with Volunteers and some staff members. 

In the morning there was a Bell Boat race that took place in Chester down the Canals, which was enjoyed by all 

Bell Boating is a twin hulled canoe and is a team of 8-10 people working together to move the craft.  We have found that the Bell Boat is a great way to enjoy the water and promote good teamwork. 

Thanks to John Driver and the outdoor Lets Go Adventure Company for their help with the Bell Boating and BBQ.

There was 13 Volunteers that took place in this 8 mile Bell Boating race down the Canals from Chester to Ellesmere Port (which was done rather quickly)

We all went into the Boat Hall and spoke about the Museum and what’s it’s helped us all with and there was leaflets and info packs on the tables for people to have a good look at and then we had a lovely BBQ.

The aim of the event was to showcase Waterways Action Squad’s first year and included displays about…..

• Wildlife and conservation projects
• Rolt music project
• Murals in Ellesmere Port and Bootle

At the end of the event Alison and Bethany led a Wildlife Walk along the Shropshire Union Canal to Freemans Copes

We would just like to give a Big Thank You to Chief Exec of The Waterways Trust – Roger Hanbury and Chief Exec of British Waterways, Robin Evans for attending. 

And a big Thank You to Ronnie and Flat lane Community Group for helping us set up.

Written by Candice Smith

http://www.waterscape.com/media/documents/22976.pdf

L-R: Lucie Unsworth - Project Manager; Katie Williams - Volunteer; Hazel Mayow - Volunteer Leader

On Sunday 25^th October 2009, we held our Launch Event at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.  The day was a massive success, attracting around 350 visitors to the site including Mayor Tony Sherlock, several local MPs, the BBC, and representatives from our partners (The Waterways Trust and British Waterways) and funders (The Bank of America and v – the National Young Volunteers Service).

Wildlife Displays

We got heaps of positive feedback from visitors and volunteers alike.  West Cheshire College Student and Young Volunteer, Maria Safina enthused – “Everybody’s been enjoying it, they’ve been getting involved with the wildlife, the bands have been a big success…they have added toward the cause…I think awareness is being spread”.

The launch, and all we achieved there, could never have happened without the hard work of our young volunteers.  A total of fifty-three young volunteers helped out on the day, serving in roles that ranged from event management to photography to media and communications management.  The event was largely organised by thirty West Cheshire College students whose involvement will go towards a v Award Certification, increasing their chances of successfully securing acceptance into universities as well as future work.  All of our volunteers did a fantastic job and we would like to extent our thanks for their boundless enthusiasm and all of the effort they put in.

The event also saw the launch of our photography competition, The Secret Lives of Canals and Rivers.  Anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 can enter for the chance to win a boat trip for them and their friends.  All you need to do is send in one or more photographs that depict what the waterways mean to you.  Whether it is the wildlife and natural environment of the area, the narrow-boats, or perhaps the history of the canal industry that inspires you; anything goes!  For more information on the competition or to send us your photographs, contact our volunteer co-ordinator, Emma Wright on emma.wright@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk

Article written by Sarah Glenister, Waterways Action Squad volunteer

Contact Emma Wright, Volunteer Coordinator at emma.wright@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk for more info and details on how to enter.

Photo credit: Kerry Morrison, “Wild and Productive 2009”. Leeds Liverpool Canal. Commissioned by Liverpool Biennial

Sunday 25th October

11am – 4pm

Targeted at 16 – 25 year olds, the focus of the event is youth volunteering but it will be an event for the whole family! There will be practical taster activities for those who want to get their hands dirty along with traditional arts and crafts sessions, wildlife walks, demonstrations, circus skills, giant games, performances by local dancers and Bands on Barges!!

The Project Team will be on hand to answer any questions, showcase the activities we have been organising so far and sign up any interested volunteers! The project’s Waterways Ambassadors will also be there to talk about their personal experiences, chat with other young volunteers and reveal what they are planning for the coming months.

Come along and immerse yourself in all aspects of waterway life from; recreation to wildlife, ecology and the environment to industry, culture, history and heritage, traditional crafts, boating and much more! There really is something for everyone!!

Waterways Action Squad is a new youth volunteering project from The Waterways Trust and British Waterways. Funded by v, the national charity for youth volunteering (www.vinspired.com) and the Bank of America, the project aims to encourage young people aged 16-25 to get involved in the care and promotion of canals and rivers in the North West.

Over 570 volunteering opportunities will be created throughout the project, forming a diverse programme of activities and enabling the young people involved to develop a wide range of practical and life skills. The activities will range from one off taster sessions to part time activities and full time placements. Specific tasks and projects will be developed in consultation with young people themselves but the list below is designed to provide a few ideas as to the types of activities that may be delivered.

• Practical tasks: may include; scrub-clearance, hedge-laying, habitat improvement, tow-path improvements, canal clean-ups and conservation of historic structures.
• Monitoring and surveying: wildlife surveys of key species, creation of identification sheets for bank-side staff, heritage cataloguing to record structures and artefacts.
• Customer service: tow-path rangers, Front of House duties, Guides, café volunteers.
• Interpretation and promotion: creation and development of interpretation events and activities at key sites, volunteer site guides, development of web-based learning and visitor information etc.