Reference: OPP0008266
Activities: Customer service, Heritage, Marketing and promotion, Practical
Starts: Anytime
Rotherham, Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, South Yorkshire Navigation, Yorkshire, S653SR
Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.
It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and can aim to be available for at a least a day a week. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April.
Whether it’s helping a boat through the lock, talking to customers, litter picking or undertaking vegetation works, it can really make a great difference to a visitor’s appreciation of the waterways.
It's a great way to meet other local volunteers, learn new skills, and hear about other volunteering opportunities if you fancy getting more involved.
We provide a full induction in the use of the locks; what the Canal & River Trust is and our aims; and relevant safety information and supply uniform and equipment as necessary. Reasonable out of pocket expenses can be claimed.
Please be aware not all applications will be placed due to the high volumes of demand.