Waterways Action Squad to Launch at National Waterways Museum
An exciting new volunteering programme for young people in the North West is being launched at National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port on Sunday 25 October, 11am to 4pm. Waterways Action Squad, which is being run by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways with funding from v, The National Young Volunteers Service, and the Bank of America, will offer over 570 volunteering opportunities for people aged between 16 and 25 over the next two years.
The launch event and open day will feature bands on boats, street entertainers, dancers, giant games, canoeing, a ‘free running’ (parkour) showcase, volunteering demonstrations and details of an exciting photography competition for young people titled ‘The Secret Lives of Canals’. This special entertainment programme will run alongside the Museum’s half-term family-focused activities, including face painting, arts and crafts, model boats and wildlife walks, as well as the usual museum attractions - boat trips, historic working boats, blacksmith demonstrations, interactive displays and traditional workers cottages and gardens. Lucie Unsworth, Waterways Action Squad Project Manager, explains: “We are looking forward to officially launching this exciting new youth volunteering project, which we hope will really make a difference to hundreds of young people’s lives in the North West. Volunteer opportunities will cover many different areas – from practical tasks like hedge-laying, dry stone walling and canal clean-ups to customer service roles including guiding wildlife walks, office support and helping at museum and boating events.
“Our event promises a fun day out for young people, plus the chance to find out more about volunteering opportunities on the waterways and how getting involved in these projects can help kick-start careers.”
Members of the project team and volunteers who have already signed up to Waterways Action Squad will be on hand to answer any questions, talk about their personal experiences and reveal what they are planning for the coming months. The event is being organised by the Waterways Action Squad project team with the help of existing volunteers, including students from West Cheshire College, whose work with Waterways Action Squad will count toward their current studies and earn them recognised accreditations to support their applications to university. Ellen Duffy, aged 17, found out about the project through her Event Management course at West Cheshire College. Ellen explains: “I’m looking forward to our launch event which will be a great day out and is also a chance for young adults to find out more about volunteering. Waterways Action Squad offers really, really good experience. It’s a chance to make a difference to local communities, care for wildlife and heritage and it can go towards (a) V-50 award, which is a brilliant pathway into higher education.” Entry to the event is free with a flyer, otherwise standard museum charges apply. For more information about the event and Waterways Action Squad, visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk or call 0151 3734392. For more information on how to get to the Museum, and to print off a flyer visit www.nwm.org.uk/ellesmere.
ENDS
For more press information, please contact: Debbie Walker, Communications Manager,
The Waterways Trust T 077486 40577 email: debbie.walker@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
Press Contact on the launch day: Lucie Unsworth - 07825 843 362 Notes for Editors:
1. From 2009 to March 2011, the Waterways Action Squad will offer over 570 volunteering opportunities giving young people the chance to develop a range of practical and life skills. The Waterways Action Squad is run by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways and is funded by v, (the national charity for youth volunteering www.vinspired.com) and the Bank of America. The project aims to encourage young people aged 16-25 to get involved in the care and promotion of canals and rivers in the North West. For more information, visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk and click on ‘projects’ or call 0151 373 4375 email lucie.unsworth@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
2. The Waterways Trust is a national charity which works in partnership with individuals, communities and organisations to conserve, restore, improve and interpret all aspects of the UK’s inland waterways. www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
3. British Waterways is the public corporation responsible for the care and enhancement of the nation’s 2,200-mile, two centuries-old network of canals and rivers. We work in partnership with public, private and voluntary sector organisations to realise the full social, environmental and economic potential of the waterways for the benefit of all. www.britishwaterways.co.uk
4. The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port brings to life the fascinating story of our waterways. The Museum is located on the Shropshire Union Canal at South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FW www.nwm.org.uk
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