British Waterways grows volunteer team and plans “canal adoptions” to engage communities
21 April 2010
As part of British Waterways’ proposed plans to move England & Wales’ 200-year old canal network into a mutual organisation, such as a charitable trust, the organisation is continuing to seek new ways to work with volunteers. British Waterways is aiming to increase the amount of volunteer days dedicated to the promotion and conservation of the waterways in 2009-10: in 2008-9 British Waterways was involved with volunteer-led projects that contributed 16,000 volunteer days worth in excess of £1 million.
As part of this drive, British Waterways is delighted to announce the appointment of Bob Bradley, who will focus on engaging local businesses for six months. Bob is being loaned from BT as part of its corporate volunteering programme which enables employees to apply for specially selected temporary placements within charitable organisations.
British Waterways wants to engage people with their waterways by encouraging local businesses to adopt the stretch of canal or river close to their property. Focusing on the Kennet & Avon, Grand Union Canal and waterways around London, Bob will inspire key decision makers to actively get involved in promoting and maintaining linear sections of waterway park. He will work with local businesses on ways they can help, for example by recording and improving the wildlife habitats, taking part in practical work parties, promoting the waterway to other local people and running events and guided walks.
Bob has over 25 years experience in IT and Communications with BT, IBM, Thomson Reuters and Digital working on the supply side of the business, and has a lot of experience in building and selling propositions to corporate clients. His background of consultancy and sales in the private sector will be a great asset in helping to promote the adoptions endeavour to enrich and benefit the community.
Bob said: “I am thrilled to be working with British Waterways to encourage and promote the adoption of stretches of waterway by local businesses. I spent some time in November as a volunteer with British Waterways as part of BT’s London 2012 Volunteering Week. I was part of a two hundred strong team of BT people working on the River Lee around the Olympic Park, cleaning up towpaths removing graffiti and painting bridges. I really enjoyed it and it showed me what can be achieved by dedicated teams of volunteers in a short space of time to make our waterways cleaner, more accessible and something for us all to be proud of. I intend to bring this spirit to our potential business adopters.”
Edd Moss, national volunteering manager at British Waterways, said: “Waterways can form the heart of a community, yet local people are not always aware of this fantastic resource on their doorstep. Local businesses can play a central role in improving facilities and promoting canals to communities by adopting a waterway, and getting them involved is crucial. As we move towards the Third Sector volunteers we will benefit from the varied skills volunteers bring with them and I am delighted to welcome Bob to the team.”
Dave Wood, head of BT volunteering operations, said: “BT’s volunteering programme aims to motivate our people and unlock their talent by creating opportunities for them to pass on their experience whilst learning new skills. This benefits our people, communities and charity partners, and helps make BT a better, stronger business.”
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For further media information please call Fran Read on 020 7985 7276 / 07796 610 427
Notes to editors
British Waterways is the public corporation that cares for a 2,200-mile network of canals and navigable rivers across the country and works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to improve the social, economic and environmental benefits of the inland waterways. For more information visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk
British Waterways is a partner of the UK International Year of Biodiversity 2010 www.biodiversityislife.net/