Volunteers’ Week is here, and I wanted to take a moment to talk about my experience of volunteering with Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust.
Now, I get it – life is busy; work, family, social plans, the occasional attempt at a hobby, I work full-time too, so I know the feeling. But somehow, I’ve squeezed volunteering into my life for the last ten years, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, why did I get involved?
I had heard about the canal restoration but didn’t know much about it. Then, in 2015, I visited for the first time. There wasn’t much to see back then, but I immediately knew I wanted to help.
Once I’d got home, I went online to the LHCRT website and read about the volunteering opportunities. I could see that there was something I could do to help as LHCRT’s social media wasn’t active.
So initially I joined the marketing and events team, then I was given access to the Twitter account and set up a new Facebook account. The rest is history, I’m the kind of person who doesn’t do things by halves, so took on more responsibilities and now I’m the communications and marketing trustee.
When I first joined – I wanted to help and do something that felt worthwhile. LHCRT has such an important mission – working to bring back the lost canal, restoring nature, boosting biodiversity, and giving local communities a space they can enjoy. How could I not want to be part of that?
I’m proud to say I’m playing my part in making that mission come true – raising awareness of LHCRT locally and nationally, bringing in funds through events and appeals, and strengthening LHCRT’s reputation as an impactful charity, driving a vital restoration forward. Oh, and along the way, I’ve been on local TV, met my hero Robbie Cumming, and even planted some hedging!
You could be part of that too!
Did you know that 7.5 million adults in England volunteer at least once a month? That’s a lot of people giving their time, and the best part is — it’s not about how often you volunteer, but the impact you make when you do!
Most people who visit us at volunteer fairs assume it’s all about digging and heavy lifting (though some love that!), but there are so many ways to get involved – my role proves that. Whether it’s getting your hands dirty building the canal, tackling weeding and grounds maintenance, planting hedges, helping with events and fundraising, writing funding bids, preparing planning applications, doing CAD design, managing projects and admin, or simply spreading the word, there’s a place for everyone.
The best bit? It’s completely flexible. No regular time commitment, no pressure, just whatever time you can give. Some volunteers pop in now and then, others get stuck in weekly (or daily like me) – it’s totally up to you.
So, if you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to help, but I just don’t have time,” I promise – you do. Volunteering can be as flexible as you need it to be. In fact, a lot of charities, including us, are embracing micro-volunteering, which means short, low-commitment opportunities that fit around your life. Even small contributions add up to something huge.
So, if you’re even a tiny bit curious, get in touch. You might just surprise yourself.
Christine Howles
Communications and Marketing Trustee
