“I originally started narrow boating through Scouts, first as a Venture Scout leader, then with Explorer Scouts. I first became involved with the trust after a friend was looking for some help teaching. I became an instructor and then a trustee.
“Narrow boating is a great vehicle for many things – whether that is building confidence or creating strong teams. It is a great opportunity to provide young people with the chance for an adventure.
“The inland waterways are a chance to take life at the pace the canal flows at – to slow down and learn new skills. There is something to be said for travelling at four to five miles an hour. The canal can be an oasis in when you are travelling through built up environments, such as London and Birmingham. The waterways are a green corridor in a crowded world.
The inland waterways are a chance to take life at the pace the canal flows at – to slow down and learn new skills
“The benefits of volunteering for mental health and developing a sense of community are well-established. I feel strongly that giving back is a good thing. You feel like you are achieving something.
“We are focused on giving people access to the inland waterways in an affordable way. All sorts of groups use our boats, whether they are faith-based groups, youth groups or groups with special educational needs. Volunteering is about giving people the opportunity to belong to a community that is passionate about the environment we work, live and play in.
“There may be an assumption that you need to know something about boats to volunteer for the trust, but we need people with a broad range of skills to support our work as a social enterprise – whether that is instructing, boat maintenance or telling people about what we do. The trust holds regular open days so don’t be afraid to step forward and find out more about what we do. Volunteers really are the lifeblood of the organisation.”
- As told to Selina Powell