Volunteering opportunities for Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE participants

How do I take part?

• Simply visit your local canal or river whenever it suits you. Carefully collect plastic rubbish and dispose of it safely and sustainably 
• You can go on your own, with friends or as a group with a teacher or group leader
• Use #PlasticsChallenge on social media to encourage others to get involved!

Before you start, please read our Plastics Challenge Guide.

Why does this matter?

Every year, millions of pieces of plastic end up in and around canals, and hundreds of thousands are carried out to our oceans. Plastic rubbish damages waterside habitats, destroys ecosystems, impacts water quality, and endangers species such as aquatic birds, water voles and otters.

How do I take part?

• Apply to join our DofE volunteering programme for 14-18 years 
• A DofE Coordinator will contact you to introduce you to local opportunities
• Activities include litter picking, maintenance and conservation projects, but vary by season and region
• Your DofE Coordinator will support you throughout your time volunteering with us.  

Email us at [email protected] to register your interest.

Why does this matter?

We want young people to be involved in the important work we do to maintain our 250-year-old canal and river network. Not all volunteering work is available to under 18's, so our DofE specialists will seek out and introduce you to activities for your age group, and support you throughout your time volunteering with us.

How do I take part?

• Search our list of live volunteering opportunities
• Look for the DofE symbol to find welcome meetings and activities to suit you
• Come along and meet the team, have a go at volunteering and find out about our other opportunities 

Under 18’s can join in many activities marked 18+ if attending with an adult, e.g. a teacher or group leader

Why does this matter?

Our volunteers help us look after over 2,000 miles of canals and rivers. From litter picking to wildlife conservation projects, our volunteers help us keep our waterways alive, transforming the places they run through and enriching the lives of local communities.

How do I take part?

• Complete a range of self-led volunteering activities including fundraising, practical activities and campaigning
• View, select and download activities that interest you (see suggestions below)

Suggested activities Campaigning/raising awareness

• A letter template - to campaign or write to a local authority
• Guidance for making a video or vlog to raise awareness, or share stories
• A poster design - to generate awareness or create a campaign

Fundraising

• Fundraising A-Z of ideas and local events to support or join in with

Activities Make and do:

• Planting and growing to help the bees
• Helping hedgehogs by creating hedgehog corridors and building homes
• Making a bug hotel
• Making a bird feeder
• Making a bird bath
• Designing a corridor for nature
• Building a bottle greenhouse
• Doing a litter hunt Challenges and games:
• Household environmental challenge
• Waterside bingo

Why does this matter? Volunteering to take environmental action makes a real difference to wildlife and nature. Some of our native species are at risk of serious decline, and your efforts could help contribute to improving their populations again.

For even more information on canals and wildlife along our waterways, take a look at our resource packs.

How do I take part?

• We can organise specific group volunteering activities from street art and litter picking to planting and habitat creation
• Groups can also adopt a small patch of a local canal or river and work with the Trust to improve the area for wildlife and people
• Email us at [email protected] to enquire about group volunteering 

Why does this matter?

Canals and rivers connect people with nature, build community groups and encourage physical activity. By getting involved, your group can motivate and inspire your local community.