Thank you to our volunteers

Chichester Canal recognises volunteer contribution during Volunteer Week 2021

This week is Volunteer Week (running from 1-7 June). The Canal is a much loved and valued asset of Chichester We offer a wide range of opportunities for recreation and relaxation on and off the water. The Canal has been more important than ever to residents during the restrictions. It’s a safe, accessible local space for physical and mental health.

Many visitors and residents may not realise that the Canal is almost entirely volunteer-run We rely on more than 100 volunteers throughout the year. The volunteers take on an extraordinary range of activities at the canal, including:

– maintaining the waterway

– keeping the towpath accessible

– running boat trips

– helping customers in the Café

– behind-the-scenes governance

Through the winter, even as the canal operations were paused, prospective volunteers were still getting in touch with us to find out about roles and offer their time.

Trust Vice-Chair Catherine Cannon said, ‘It was so encouraging to continue to receive enquiries. In fact we even had to pause volunteer recruitment as some of our roles were over-subscribed. It’s been lovely now moving into the spring to be able to meet people and welcome them to the canal family’.

Catherine continued, ‘We are enormously grateful to our volunteers who give 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. 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’.

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