UK CANAL LOVERS are called to lend a hand and volunteer with the Canal & River Trust.
The trust tells it needs more hands and is inviting people to discover a host of ways to give some time canal-side in their local community, with a programme of welcome sessions announced this week, explaining:
Next wave of volunteers
Built by hand 250 years ago as the freight arteries that fuelled the Industrial Revolution, canals don’t look after themselves, and generations of people have played their part in the care of the world-famous canal network. Today, canals are sources of calm and beauty and are perfectly placed for the next wave of volunteers wanting to connect to nature and one another.
The appeal forms part of the Canal & River Trust’s Volunteer By Water campaign, launching yesterday, and is backed by broadcaster and TV presenter Ranvir Singh. The campaign highlights the vital role volunteers play in caring for canals, from helping maintain locks and towpaths, to welcoming boaters and protecting wildlife. (Photographs by Canal & River Trust.)
Last year alone, nearly 5,500 volunteers gave almost 750,000 hours of their time to support the Canal & River Trust’s work across England and Wales, making a huge difference to what the charity can achieve.
Around nine million people live within a ten-minute walk of a canal or river cared for by the Canal & River Trust, yet many don’t realise these spaces—including thousands of locks, bridges, aqueducts and 2,000 miles of wildlife habitat—are maintained by a charity. The Canal & River Trust is urging people to see volunteering on their local canal as one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to give back to their community. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people and enjoy the great outdoors, making a meaningful difference to the local environment.
70 volunteer welcome sessions
To make volunteering by water as accessible as possible, the Canal & River Trust has created a programme of 70 Volunteer Welcome Sessions, including 19 online sessions, where people will be able to find out more before getting involved. The sessions allow newcomers to meet staff and existing volunteers, ask questions and explore roles that suit their interests, skills and availability, from one-off drop-in opportunities to regular weekly volunteering.
Ranvir Singh explains:
“The Canal & River Trust looks after an incredible 2,000-mile network of canals across England and Wales. These waterways bring nature, heritage and free green space right into the heart of our communities, but they need people to help care for them. Volunteering by the water is a chance to do something on the doorstep that really matters.
“I’ve volunteered for the Canal & River Trust myself and found the experience incredibly rewarding. It’s satisfying to finish a session and see the difference you’ve made; it makes you feel part of the community and can really lift your mood. If you’re thinking about making a difference this year, come along to a welcome session and see how you can get involved.”
Make an extraordinary difference
Christine Mellor, head of volunteering at Canal & River Trust, added:
“Our volunteers make an extraordinary difference. Last year they gave nearly three-quarters of a million hours to help keep our 250-year-old canal network open and thriving. But the challenges facing our waterways are growing, from ageing infrastructure to the impact of storms and floods, and they need help now more than ever. Volunteering is flexible, rewarding and open to everyone. If you’re looking to do something positive for your local community, make new friends, and make a big difference in 2026, we’d love to welcome you to meet the team.”
Volunteers attending a Welcome Session can expect to get involved within weeks, with a wide range of seasonal and year-round opportunities available across England and Wales
Details of the Volunteer Welcome Sessions can be found here: Volunteer by water | Canal & River Trust