There are more than 40 active waterway restoration projects across England and Wales – all led by volunteers and all keen for new volunteers to get involved.
Working on more than 500 miles of derelict waterway and keen to see them brought back to life, restoration volunteers come with many different skills and abilities. Therefore there are a huge variety of ways to get involved.
Canal Camp working holidays
We organise week-long working holidays known as Canal Camps. They’re a great opportunity to meet all sorts of new people from all walks of life, of all ages and from all over the country and abroad. Similarly, they are a good opportunity to learn new skills such as bricklaying, heritage restoration skills and plant and machinery operation.
Weekend Digs
Don’t fancy a whole week? As well as organising Canal Camps, we have regional restoration groups based all over the country that organise weekend work parties.
Want something closer to home?
Interested in volunteering on a waterway restoration near you? If so, lots of local restoration groups run work parties. Take a look at the list of waterways under restoration to find contact details of waterway restoration groups in your area.
Do you have planning or engineering experience?
Do you have a specific expertise that you would like to offer as a volunteer? Our restoration team is always looking for people with a variety of backgrounds or experience. For example, you might have a background in planning or engineering, some environmental expertise or you may have some administrative skills to offer? We are always looking for people with specific experience who might be able to help out projects across the country, either remotely or on-site.
Restoration Raffle
Top prize: £1,000
Help us get restorations back to work in 2021
Tickets are £10 per book of 5
Stay up-to-date
Interested in restoration? Sign up to receieve updates on all of our restoration activities and events.
Waterway restoration
Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.
Waterways heritage
Our waterways heritage is what makes Britain’s canals and rivers special and it must be actively protected – through the local planning system and sufficient funding – for the future.
Waterways affected by HS2
We’re campaigning to protect canals and rivers from the damaging effects of HS2, especially where the tranquillity of the waterways is under threat.
Love your waterways
Together we can protect and restore our waterways; the UK’s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers need your help.