I was very much looking forward to this project because it was something that could complement the brand new media suite soon to be in use at the museum.

After getting some Ideas from the young volunteers I had a better Idea of what to put in (and what not to put in…) the general consensus was that the colours should be bright and not to try and be hip or cool or have any stereotypical graffiti.
The theme of the media suite as a whole was blue so this made it easier to think of a lot of things that were blue and the inspiration being the canals, water, sky etc. made it quite easy. Then to keep it on the traditionalside, the canal boat section was in the red green and yellow.

ainting of it was a lot harder than I anticipated. Luckily the base coat had already been put on so just needed an extra 2 coats of white then to dry and it was ready for the design to be sketched on. Trying to get it equal and have straight lines was interesting, I hadn’t thought how long it would take, luckily the room that I had started the painting in had some cardboard Rosie and Jim boards which served very well as a ruler and the paint pot lids for any circles.
Then the painting started and it chopped and changed as it went and got darker and the colours would dry and the new mixes would be different. Anyway, after two days of painting, drying and outlining, it was finished.
This was a fantastic project am I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to paint such a massive mural!

The 3 volunteers involved in the 24:24 project were doing 24 hours a week of volunteering for 24 weeks to gain skills and experience in fields of work that they were interested in being employed or training in. They were James, Jacob and Sally and they were lovely. since being on the project they were all working toward NVQs which they seemed very positive about and wanting to move on to the next level and then into a job.

We went to the garden centre for lunch and to talk about what activity they wanted to do as a benchmark day on the project, something for team building, physical exercise or practical and something fun. After many different options layed out on the table we are planning a trip to go gorge walking which involves lots of water, rocks and jumping into water from the rocks.

We then had a walk around the garden centre. The twins James and Jacob had to learn nearly 40 plant names as part of thier NVQ so it gave them a chance to do a bit of studying, plant names are really complecated and a lot of them sound very similar, there are lots of -ium and -us and -es and -ium. I also got the chance to talk to Sally who was working in the customer service, reception AND cafe. She seemed to be loving every second of it and later staff at the boat lift raved about her and her hard work and the twins and all they had been doing for the surrounding environment at the museum.

It was inspiring and also incredibly frustrating that they were doing such a great job for free, there was no moaning at all about their jobs and they were so positive about everything. It just goes to show, for many young people who aren’t in work, it isn’t because they’re lazy or don’t want to do anything and live for free. These guys were giving thier time and bags of energy to the jobs they were doing, a lot of the time it is just about not being lucky in finding jobs or breaking out of the stigma placed on so many young people, why would an employer want to take a young adult into thier employ when they see them as being tarnished with the same brush: Idle, unenthusiastic, agressive etc and really for a lot of young people it’s hugely to do with confidence. The confidence to outline your credentials and highlight your good points, smile and not be nervous… it’s something that isn’t focused on enough in schools and education, confidence and communication to build contacts and experience.

This is why projects like 24:24 are so important. James, Jacob and Sally all suffered with confidence issues which were improving so quickly as a result of taking part in the programme, work wise they were completely above average it was just about self esteem.

It made me think really hard about how many of us as human beings can be crippled by a personal issue such as self confidence, not believing we’re good enough. So many people must feel like this every day and sometimes when finally you have the confidence to apply for that job or go for an interview and then you get knocked back, the confidence you’ve worked so hard for goes back to being low.

It’s Important to try and understand that sometimes people young and old aren’t in employment for many different reasons, not just because they’re lazy or unskilled, a lot of the time is the total opposite.

After making the film which was loads of fun we said our goodbyes and went home, expecting to meet again at the gorge adventure. This was a very eye opening day for me and it was a privalige to meet such hardworking people.

Hi,

My name is Jeni Louise and I am now a part time member of staff for The Waterways Trust, at the Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port! Working alongside and assisting the ridiculously hardworking Emma in the office, around the museum and offsite on several projects all creating and promoting youth activity and engagement in the Arts and Heritage Sector.

The reason that I have the opportunity to work here is due to emma and the Waterways Action Squad department helping to put me through the application for the Vodaphone World of Difference Award 2011/12! This award funds you to work for a charity, the application process was long and a lot of work had to come from my part and especially from Emma, but eventually we got the great news that we had won the award.

So on the 27th February 2012 I travelled down to the exotic Newbury Race Course to have an induction day and learn more about the  funding scheme  as a whole, how to blog and also got to listen to some inspirational speakers about how they have begun to make a world of difference. Vodaphone generously supplied everyone who won with a work phone and starter pack.

With my first project over – which was a health and wellbeing themed afternoon of music and dramatic performance, it’s on with the next projects…

The Media Suite Mural – an Art project that engages local under 25′s to design and create a mural for the exciting new media suite. The group will spend some time in and around the museum, looking for stimulus and taking inspiration from the setting and environment. The mural is set to be a modern/ contemporary interpretation of what the museum and media suite have to offer and will be a lasting legacy in the museum.

Social Networking - In this modern day and age the easiest way to access information about events and opportunity is through social networking, so, over the next few weeks I will be updating the facebook page with pictures and films and the current and future projects taking place and of course trying to expand our database and raise more awareness within young people about what waterways is doing.

Projects Engaging NEET young people – I will be assisting on projects such as PEP (Project engage and progress) and 24:24 which aim to engage young people who are not currently in Education, Employment or Training. The projects help with C.V. writing and application, creating volunteer opportunities which build great experience and C.V. skills data and allow the young people to volunteer doing something that they are interested in which is a great incentive to go into training or work.

Festivals, events and days out - Helping and assisting on festivals such as the Diamond Jubilee street party, advertising and recruitment for events organisers and helping to plan reward events and days out for groups involved with waterways projects. 

This and much more so there’s a lot to be getting on with which is great. I will keep updating blogs on here and the vodaphone website about progress in work.

Until next time,

Jeni.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the evaluation – It has proved to be a valuable undertaking and its findings are already helping to inform the future development of our youth engagement programme.

If you have any queries about the report or would like any additional information, please contact Emma Wright, Youth Engagement Coordinator - emma.wright@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk or ring 0151 373 4392

Click on the links below to view the report

EXEC SUMMARY – WAS Evaluation

WAS Evaluation Full Report

Final appendices – WAS Report

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

If you’re aged between 16 and 25 and enjoy snapping away on your camera, see what the theme ‘The Secret Life Of Canals And Rivers’  conjures up in your mind and send your entries to emma.wright@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk by May 31st 2010.  Use your imagination and see what delights you can come up with, whether it be a photo of a canal boat or a Kingfisher.

Make sure you send jpegs and keep them to a maximum size of 800 pixels x 800 pixels so they fit on our screens! The best entries that we receive will be exhibited in the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port some time later in the year and the winners will get to spend a day boating with friends!

Get snapping!

Lunch break

The Pride of Sefton was the location for this months ambassadors meeting. This narrow boat has been specially fitted to allow disabled access and frequently travels along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Docked at Haskayne, we arrived a little later than intended but with plenty of enthusiasm and plenty of grub!

Cruising along the canal we got to discussing the hot topics of summer activities schedules and ways to get returning students into volunteering with us. The Waterways Action Squad newsletter, which we hope to make a regular thing was also brainstormed. Ideas thrown into the pot include adding puzzles and volunteer profiles to get more people reading it. Plans to get our leaflets into public places and into universities were also put in place.

After a few hours, the biggest muffins ever and plenty of other food was brought out. We got to watch the baby ducklings whilst chatting about the ambassadors residential that’s coming up over the summer. We even got a few people to sign up on the day.

Then it was time to have a go at steering the boat (althought I think we just held the handle and Frank and Alan did the steering!).

Overall I would say it was a great chance for a catch up and to plan what will be going on in June, July and August, whilst getting to enjoy a fun trip along the canal! Thanks Pride of Sefton!

It’s been great to see the type of opportunities Waterways Action Squad has created for young people and the difference it has made in restoring and protecting the local waterways as well as how it has affected the volunteers. So we decided to create this event so you can come along and try out some of the opportunities we have done, such as willow-weaving and aquatic surveying, as well as being able to tell us how Waterways Action Squad has affected you in the past two years. We’ll also be having a celebration later in the day to say thank you to all volunteers, with an awards ceremony for volunteers’ contributions to the project, a delicious BBQ and other activities like bell-boating and water-zorbing.

Volunteer Conference and Celebration Event

Wednesday 15^th June

12:30-7:30 p.m.  Awards start at 3 p.m.

National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4FW

If you’d like any more information please email either Simon (simon.colderley@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk) or Emma (emma.wright@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk). Looking forward to seeing you there!