Riverviews - Anglian Waterways - Flipbook - Page 19
Riverviews: Volunteering
Why did you decide to
volunteer?
What is your role?
I decided that “all work and no play”
some of the key the locks on the River Great
was not good for me! I started to
Ouse. Experienced skippers and crew value
look for some volunteering activity
our help at locks and often ask us why we
that would extend my skills, help the
are not working at all the locks. Another
community, and provide me with
important aspect of the role is helping crews
some meaningful and worthwhile
on the hired day boats. Many have never
opportunities. As an experienced
seen or negotiated a lock, and most are
boat owner, I jumped at the chance
very grateful for our help and are willing
to apply to become a volunteer
to accept advice regarding safe practices.
lock assistant through the Anglian
WE are also available to support Anglian
Waterways Volunteer Scheme
Waterway colleagues at special events and
managed by CambsAcre.
river festivals.
How long have you
been a volunteer for the
Environment Agency?
What is the best thing about
volunteering with us?
The volunteer scheme stared
in 2019 with training and lock
familiarisation. I have just completed
my 5th year as a volunteer. Since
the scheme began the number of
volunteers has increased from 4 to
over 20 and still rising!
© MATTHEW POWER PHOTOGRAPHY
Meet a
volunteer
Hi, my name is Roger. Having worked
for Cambridgeshire County Council for
38 years, as a teacher and education
o昀케cer, I retired in 2012 and now
devote my time to my family,
including 4 grandchildren, DIY the
昀椀tting out of our 45昀琀 narrowboat
and quite a few holidays!
Our key role is supporting boaters traversing
I could say it is the uniform! The scheme
works well from the volunteering perspective
due to the wonderful management and
co-ordination provided by the Anglian
Waterways team, and particularly CambsAcre.
During the boating season we are allocated to
various locks to ensure that there is a mix of
experienced “old hands” and colleagues’ new
to the scheme.
Being able to volunteer
outside in some of our most
environmentally precious and
picturesque locations is a real
bonus for us. Meeting and
helping boaters is rewarding,
sometimes the conversation
delays the locking! Last, but
not least, the opportunity to
volunteer with a variety of
colleagues is interesting and
most enjoyable.
Are you interested in hearing more about our volunteering scheme?
CLICK HERE
FOR INFO
Recruitment started
in January for more
volunteers!
https://www.cambsacre.org.uk/projects/anglian-waterways-volunteers/
If you would like any more
information on the volunteering
scheme, please contact:
Rachael Brown
rachael.brown@cambsacre.org.uk
Or: 01353 865037
Scan for Anglian Waterways Website
www.visitanglianwaterways.org
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