Refugee volunteer group helps with Kennet & Avon Canal makeover in Newbury

[Ray T]

CRT Press Release

 

12th October 2022

 

Refugee volunteer group helps with Kennet & Avon Canal makeover in Newbury

 

A swing bridge and lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Newbury have received a makeover thanks to a group of refugees who are volunteering with the waterways and wellbeing charity the Canal & River Trust.

 

Refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and El Salvador have been working with the Trust and the existing volunteer towpath taskforce to transform the appearance of Bull's Swing Bridge and Bull's Lock, which are situated on the canal between Newbury and Thatcham. Having made excellent progress painting the bridge and lock, the group are now set to move onto revamping a nearby footbridge.

 

The opportunity for the refugees to join the vast network of volunteers, who give their time across the Trust's 2,000-mile network of waterways, came from a suggestion from volunteer Karen Reeve who is also a lead coordinator with the West Berkshire Action for Refugees – a group in the local area who are providing support for the refugees who first moved to the UK at the start of 2022.

 

Not only are their voluntary efforts helping to improve this part of the Kennet & Avon Canal, but volunteering with the Trust is providing the group with an opportunity to get active in the local community while learning new skills and developing their use of the English language.

 

They have been registered as Level One volunteers by the Trust and participated in water safety training before undertaking their voluntary tasks.

 

Caroline Kendall, community engagement manager for the Wales & South West region said: “It's fantastic to have our towpath taskforce on the canal boosted by the brilliant volunteering contributions from some of the group from West Berkshire Action for Refugees.

 

“Keeping the canal in an excellent condition is an important part of our work, and to have this group of participants being keen to help in the local community, build their confidence in a new environment, and learn new skills along the way is wonderful to see.”

 

Rob Coles, area operations manager for the east section of the Kennet & Avon Canal added: “Working alongside our existing towpath taskforce volunteers, the group has done a fantastic job of refreshing Bull's Swing Bridge and Bull's Lock on a lovely section of the Kennet & Avon Canal.

 

“It is fantastic to have them working with us and we are looking forward to them continuing to contribute to some other exciting improvement works along the waterway.

 

“Undergoing the maintenance needed to keep our waterways looking fresh and welcoming for everyone is an important part of our work, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of our volunteers and the excellent work from the West Berkshire Action for Refugees.”

 

For more information on the Canal & River Trust including how you can donate money or volunteer to support our work visit canalrivertrust.org.uk

 

ENDS

 

For further media requests please contact:

Richard Joyce, communications & campaigns manager (Wales & South West), Canal & River Trust

m 07587 161851 e richard.joyce@canalrivertrust.org.uk

 

[alan_fincher]

Bloody foreigners coming over here and improving our Inland Waterways! 😄