Chichester Ship Canal Trust is recognising the contribution of volunteers during Volunteer Week.
The canal is a much loved and valued asset of Chichester, offering a wide range of opportunities for recreation and relaxation on and off the water and a safe accessible local space for physical and mental health. This year the canal is celebrating its 200th anniversary.
Many visitors and residents may not realise that the canal is almost entirely volunteer-run, relying on more than 150 volunteers throughout the year. The volunteers take on an extraordinary range of activities at the canal.
Dorothy Cox, Trustee, said: "Our volunteers bring a very wide range of skills and experience to the canal, and we can give them opportunities to develop new skills. Recently, for example, a group of volunteers have found themselves working with a tutor and creating a papier mache swan and butterfly, ready for our participation in the Carnival of Lights in June."
Volunteering really is for everyone. This year a group of students from Havant and South Downs College came to litter pick, completing one of their environmental modules, and siblings from North Mundham gave up their time to litter pick too. Students from Chichester College have completed work experience, as part of Public Service and Arts and Graphics courses.
Dorothy continued: "We are enormously grateful to our volunteers who give a great deal of their time to help make the canal the very special place it is, enjoyed by so many residents and visitors every year. We know from the feedback we receive how much their contribution is appreciated, and we simply couldn’t operate without them. Volunteer Week is a perfect opportunity to recognise their commitment and for us to say a huge thank you."
Image: Chichester Ship Canal Trust
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