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The charity making life better by water

Volunteers in hard hats and life jackets stand in thigh-high water at the bottom of a lock removing debris from the canal bed

Volunteer

Canals need many hands to look after them. By volunteering with us, you can really make a difference.

#VolunteerByWater

Whether you can spare a few minutes or a couple of days, from nature conservation and bridge keeping to leading other volunteers, join our volunteer team.

  • Read the film transcript

    Come and join us as a volunteer. It's a great way of meeting people, local communities, and exchanging friendships.

    One of the nicest things about volunteering, is the sense of camaraderie that you get, with other volunteers. It's not just a question of working in the outdoors, it's actually doing it alongside nice people.

    I love it, fresh air and exercise. We have a great time. There's no end of opportunities for all types of individuals.

    I think it just helps with my general health and wellbeing. It's a good way to relax, and it's a good way of giving something back to the community as well.

    The canals are a brilliant national resource, that if they're not maintained, then they're going to fall into disrepair and I think it's important to keep them for future generations.

    Without our volunteers, we can't keep the canals alive.

Culture and Environment

Our amazing volunteers

This is the incredible impact our volunteers have had over the past year (2023/24)*.

739443

Volunteer hours

Ensuring canals remain beautiful & accessible for all

4566

Active volunteers

Protecting canals for now & our future generations

1000356

Young people

Engaged by our Explorer programme

*Last updated June 2024

Two volunteers in high vis jackets gardening on the canal towpath

Volunteer with us

Volunteer and help us keep canals alive. Search all current opportunities

#volunteerbywater

We love hearing from our volunteers. Want to be featured on this page? Post your snaps and stories on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #volunteerbywater

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