Adopt a stretch of canal or river
What are the Canal & River Trust adoption schemes?
There is enormous community strength in people’s desire to make a difference to their local area. Waterway adoption schemes have been set up to enable the Canal & River Trust to be part of that action.
Adoptions can form the heart of a community, with local businesses and groups playing a central role in improving facilities and promoting canals and rivers to their communities by formally adopting a stretch of waterway.
The Canal & River Trust wants to get people more engaged with their waterways by encouraging local businesses and groups to adopt a nearby stretch of canal or river. The Trust will inspire key decision makers to get involved with promoting and enhancing stretches of waterway, working with local community groups on the different ways they can help. This could include recording and improving wildlife habitats, taking part in practical work parties, promoting the waterway to other local people and running events and guided walks.
The ultimate aim is to increase local ownership, build relationships with the Canal & River Turst at a local level and give local communities a say in their local waterway.
Who can adopt?
Adopters will essentially be working with the Canal & River Trust to make improvements to their local waterway for the benefit of the local people and all waterway users. Suitable candidates to engage in an Adopter Volunteer Agreement could be:
- Local businesses
- Schools
- Community groups such as environment societies, waterway interest organisations or 'friends of the waterway' etc
- Parish Councils
- Residential Associations
An adoption scheme could be taken up by any of the above or several in conjunction with each other.
How can I adopt?
The Canal & River Trust has produced a Waterway Adoption Handbook to tell you all about the scheme and show how you too can be part of this important community programme.
The Canal & River Trust has also produced a Case Study based on the successful adoption scheme with HFC Bank in Birmingham.
Both of these publications were produced by British Waterways, prior to the launch of the Canal & River Trust.
If you are interested in becoming a Canal & River Trust waterway adopter, please email volunteer@canalrivertrust.org.uk
In This Section »
-
Corporate adoptions
If you represent a large company, or just work for one located by a canal or river owned by the Canal & River Trust, you could enquire about our corporate adoption schemes. -
Buckingham Canal Society - canal adoptions and beyond
Richard Lewis juggles a career in IT project management with a jam-packed volunteer role. By day he grapples with technology. Evenings and weekends he manages publicity and promotions for Buckingham Canal Society – who have adopted a stretch of canal from the Canal & River Trust.
