We're recruiting 13 members to our West Midlands Waterway Partnership, which plays a key role in getting more people involved in these vital green spaces and ensuring they boost tourism and employment.
The Partnership has developed an action plan to inspire more people to get actively involved in caring for and promoting the region's historic waterways. It is now on the look-out for new members to help deliver the plan's economic, social and environmental objectives.
Many different interests
The Partnership members are drawn from many different interests, not least boating and other waterway activities, such as angling, cycling and restoration. Its membership also includes interests and skills, including regeneration, environment, engineering, marketing and wider partnership working with the public, commercial and charitable sectors.
Applications are welcomed from anybody with an interest in the waterways and who shares the partnership's objectives. The Waterway Partnership is particularly keen to hear from those with skills and experience around youth engagement, corporate relationships and urban and rural regeneration.
Peter Mathews CMG, chair of the West Midlands Waterways Partnership, said: “Our waterways have been instrumental in shaping our towns and cities and they remain an enduring reminder of our thriving industrial past.
“As a partnership we believe that it's now time to put the waterways back at the heart of our communities and use them as a means of tackling some of the great challenges that our region faces. Our waterways have real potential to boost the West Midlands' economy and to help people lead healthier lifestyles, gain new skills and simply just to feel a sense of ownership of the waterways around them.
Two days a month
The roles are voluntary with agreed expenses reimbursed, and will involve approximately two days a month. Appointments are for three years. For further information please contact Peter Mathews CMG at [email protected]
Anyone can apply to be on the partnership however experience in the following is desirable:
- Powered boating
- Unpowered boating
- Waterway activities including walking, angling, cycling
- Business and commerce
- Work with strategic partners including local authorities
- Health and education
- Fundraising and volunteering
- Community engagement
- Wider partnership working in areas such as heritage, environment, community development, sustainable transport, leisure, arts, sport