2. …
  3. Volunteer in partnership

Corporate volunteering

We can work with your company to develop a volunteering programme that provides a practical experience for your staff, while delivering environmental and social impact for your local canal or river.

Opportunities for you

From vital maintenance of our locks and towpaths to providing new habitat for our most endangered wildlife, we work with employers to organise effective volunteer days around the country.

Find out more about the different opportunities we have below.

CGI colleagues get stuck in to creating the new flower bed CGI colleagues get stuck in to creating the new flower bed in Bath

Team days

Team days have a real impact and are also great fun. Spend time by water and feel invigorated from helping local people, wildlife and heritage.

Previous and existing corporate partners have expressed the value team days bring to their staff. The experience gives individuals the opportunity to take a fresh look at their roles and responsibilities, and connect with colleagues in a different environment.

CGI colleagues

CGI reconnect by water

Staff at CGI rolled up their sleeves and took part in a range of activities across three different team days, which included reviving a canalside allotment, creating an 18m-long flower bed and a new bat habitat

Due to demand, we’re only able to run a limited number of team days each year and these are spread across out 2,000 mile network. To discuss opportunities available both nationally and locally, please email:

Adopt a canal

Why not support a local stretch of your canal close to your company’s office?

This is a great way to gain brand recognition through local PR and canalside promotion. It's also fantastic for building staff moralegetting staff involved in enhancing and protecting their natural environment in the heart of their community. All we ask for is a small donation and commitment to regular volunteering days. 

Please complete an Expression of Interest Form to explore this opportunity further. 

Case studies

Find out more about how we've worked with previous companies:

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Volunteers from Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Our partnership began in Autumn 2014, when 25 employee volunteers first installed 15 metres of soft bank protection along the Shropshire Union Canal. This has provided a rich, long-lasting habitat for aquatic wildlife including water voles, amphibians, invertebrates and water fowl.

Volunteering is an important part of our culture and employee feedback is extremely positive. We are proud to partner with the Trust and have a positive impact on our local community

Andrew Lowe, head of business development for tech

Severn Trent

A year long collaboration in 2017 saw 200 Severn Trent employees work with our teams along the River Trent and River Soar. Team tasks included managing vegetation, lock painting, treating timber features and litter picking, creating a welcoming space for visitors.

This great partnership has helped to make the rivers in our region even healthier, and also been a great day out for our volunteers.

Leanne Town, community comms officer

Yorkshire Water

Boat on Aire & Calder Navigation

Yorkshire Water adopted a one mile-long stretch of The Aire & Calder Navigation at Woodlesford for a year. Staff spent a total of 100 days volunteering along the towpath, and were also involved in decision-making when planning local activities. 

This part of the canal network attracts thousands of visitors each year. I am sure that the efforts of the Yorkshire Water team will not go unmissed.”

Becca Dent, volunteer development coordinator
Volunteers from British Land paint coping stones

Corporate partnerships

Our partnerships make life better by water by enhancing green and blue spaces, delivering nature-based solutions, and promoting inclusion and wellbeing opportunities for all.

Last date edited: 30 June 2022