We are hoping to recruit a team of education volunteers who can bring the history of their local canals to life.
Volunteers are needed at Diglis Basin in Worcester, Hatton Locks near Warwick, Birmingham City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent and Stourport Basins. The volunteers would form part of the Trust's Explorers education programme aimed at 7-11 year olds.
The Explorers volunteers will lead sessions for primary schools, Cub Scouts and Brownie groups, that extend from the classroom to the waterside, and include everything from explaining how canals were built to helping children to be safe by the water. They will also be talking about the wonderful wildlife, history and characters of the area's 200 year old canals.
As well as fun learning activities and visit ideas the Explorers programme also offers free themed workshops in school and out on the towpath along with downloadable lesson plans and resources. All activities and materials are linked to the National Curriculum.
Sarah Cook, our education coordinator says: "The Canal & River Trust's Explorers programme is all about encouraging children to explore their local canal or river and use them as a way of learning about a wide variety of subjects.
"The Midlands is famous for its waterways and our local canals and rivers boast a long and colourful history. We're looking for education volunteers who can really bring that history – as well as a range of other subjects - to life.
"We'd really like to hear from anyone who thinks they can help us to inspire and enthuse young people about our wonderful waterways."
Amazing Waterways
Peter Mathews CMG, chair of the Trust's West Midlands Waterway Partnership, said; "We're incredibly lucky in the Midlands to have some amazing waterways right on our doorstep. These waterways offer a fantastic educational resource – almost like a giant open-air museum. The Explorers volunteers perform a really important role in helping our young people to explore their local canal or river and understand how they shaped where we live today."
We are looking for people who are confident leading organised school and group activities. The volunteers will be required to work on week days during term time and will have the support of an education officer. Interviews for the role will take place in May and August.
Anyone wanting to get involved or get more information should contact Sarah Cook on 07715 377788 or at [email protected].
