“I’ve had the opportunity to learn about lots of new things” – Carole’s Story

After being made redundant, Carole was looking for a way to stay active and engaged. She knew she wanted to be outdoors and contribute to something meaningful, which led her to volunteering with the Canal & River Trust as part of the Medlock Valley Project, run in partnership by Groundwork and other local organisations.

“I wanted to find volunteering to keep busy, and the outdoor nature of Canal & River Trust volunteering really appealed to me”

Carole wasn’t completely new to volunteering. She’d previously been involved with a project run by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, but when that came to an end, she was keen to find something new that offered variety and a reason to get outside.

Since joining the Canal & River Trust volunteering sessions, Carole has taken part in a wide range of hands-on activities that support the maintenance and protection of the canal network.

“I’ve had the opportunity to learn about lots of new things, including hedge laying, using canoes to plant floating beds, and removing invasive plants,”

One of the most surprising aspects was learning just how important this work is to protecting local nature.

“I wasn’t previously aware of some of the invasive species that threaten the canals locally, such as pennywort, and how important it is to control it.”

For Carole, the benefits go beyond learning new skills. She’s found the sessions to be sociable, welcoming, and good for her overall wellbeing.

“The sessions provide social interaction in a friendly, informal setting, lots of opportunities for physical exercise, with a choice of tasks to suit different capabilities so no one feels left out. Plus plenty of fresh air!”

Volunteering with people from many different backgrounds has also had a positive impact on her confidence and her social life.

“I would definitely recommend it. Volunteering with Canal & River Trust has increased my confidence, and I’ve met some great people that are now good friends. Rain or shine, it’s great fun!”

Find out more about how the Medlock Valley project has brought people together in nature: