Ten years celebrated
ONE of Surrey's most distinctive charity projects, the Swingbridge community boat programme (part of the Surrey Care Trust) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Since the launch of the Swingbridge1 boat in July 2002 (pictured) the programme has hosted thousands of visitors and volunteers, enabling individuals to experience, enjoy and develop new skills on the waterways of Surrey.
Second boat
In 2008 a second boat was launched as part of the programme, Swingbridge2. Serving as a dedicated workboat for conservation volunteering programmes, Swingbridge2 forms a base for bankside conservation work on the Wey, Thames and Basingstoke Canal.
Together, the boats provide opportunities for training, education activities, team-building outings, conservation volunteering and of course, a chance to experience the beautiful canals in the South of England for people of all ages.
Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant
In 2007 Swingbridge1 was honoured by a visit from Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, and 2012 saw the programme continue its royal connection as Swingbridge2 was delighted to be invited to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant Flotilla on the River Thames.
The Swingbridge programme relies on the contribution of volunteers from all walks of life; from retired professionals who relish the physical work after years of a desk-bound career, to the long-term unemployed and those recovering from addictions or ill health.
Community sentences
Alongside working with volunteers the Surrey Care Trust also organises Swingbridge working parties of offenders serving community sentences of unpaid work. Offenders join the crew of Swingbridge2 to help contribute to the boat's environmental effort and can also work towards passing the Waterways Environmental Course.
As well as celebrating 10 years on the waterways of Surrey in 2012, the Swingbridge programme has also enjoyed the success of becoming an accredited training centre, recognised by the National Community Boats Association.
Charitable activities
Such national recognition has allowed the Surrey Care Trust to develop the Swingbridge boats as a form of ‘social enterprise', with funds helping to support a range of the Surrey Care Trust's charitable activities. Courses, which previously were only available to individuals on the charity's programmes, are now available on a modest fee-paying basis to youth organisations, schools, companies or private groups of friends.
The courses are delivered by Swingbridge volunteers, all of whom are qualified skippers and have themselves completed a course in training young people. Chris Padmore, Swingbridge Co-coordinator, explains the benefits of the courses for young people.