Aaron's story

He is now a Volunteer Leader in the based at the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester but has a team of volunteers in Gloucester, Worcester and Tewkesbury

What development opportunities have you been involved with at the Trust?

I started at the Trust on a Level 3 Water Environment Worker apprenticeship through Bridgewater and Taunton College. The apprenticeship was a qualification in itself but I also gained a number of additional accreditations through the training. I was also lucky enough to complete the APM Project Fundamentals course to learn about project management. n my current role I have kept an up-to-date Emergency First Aid at Work certificate as well as training to be a CAATS Assessor. I am in the process of completing my IOSH training to have a better understanding of Health & Safety and have recently gained a place on the Trust’s Stepping into Management upskilling programme.

How do you feel you personally have benefitted from your involvement with the Trust?

I feel I have benefited hugely from working at the Trust. I have grown in confidence and have gained a wide array of skills and experience that have helped me develop as an individual. I believe the Trust values are demonstrated throughout the organisation and it is empowering to work alongside people (staff and volunteers) who share the same values. I have gained a lot of transferrable qualifications and a mindset that prioritises health, safety and wellbeing in and out of the workplace. My personal wellbeing has been great working for the Trust as I get to spend time outside and next to water. I have also gained a level of resilience that I didn’t have before by challenging myself with my work at the Trust.

Why did you choose this particular career path?

I chose this particular career path as I always had a passion for working with people and the environment. The apprenticeship ticked both of those boxes by involving me with the conservation works with the fish passes and on lock islands and coordinating volunteers. I always wanted to have a positive impact on the environment and I thrive off of helping others. I wanted to develop my people management skills and practical skills and confidence. The apprenticeship gave me the skills knowledge and behaviours to lead volunteers in a safe and effective manner in a variety of practical scenarios. By learning the underpinning skills of planning and coordinating volunteers, I now feel confidence to plan and lead on larger and more complex tasks.

What exciting projects have you been involved with?

The Unlocking the Severn project built fish passes that required maintenance as well as developing Diglis lock island as a safe and attractive visitor destination. I produced and demonstrated to volunteers a safe system of work for maintaining the fish passes. My role also supported the development of volunteers to maintain and improve Diglis Island for visitors as well as managing it sympathetically for nature.

My current role of Volunteer Leader has expanded from the fish passes and Diglis Island to include organising works at other lock islands on the River Severn as well as assisting volunteer activities on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Continued involvement in Unlocking the Severn project is incredible to this day – a feat of modern engineering to unlock the river for migratory fish with a window to monitor and watch them, what more could you want? I have particularly enjoyed draining down the pass to clean the window and LED and complete other operational tasks; this is a chance to see the fish pass from a fish’s perspective and sometimes during the fish rescue, coming face to face with Atlantic Salmon, Barbel, Perch and lots of other amazing fish species.

What’s next for your career?

I would like to stay working at the Trust as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far. Once I’ve completed the Stepping into Management programme I could see myself moving into a people management role or exploring a different challenge in a different directorate of the Trust.