[On Left. Trevor Clark, Richard Hall, Campbell Robb, CEO CRT, Paul Harry, David Fearns and Mike Ashman, Lead Volunteer]
Another ‘pic of the day’ featuring people rather than places.
Congratulations to the Bath Canal and River Trust[1] Conservation and Restoration Volunteers, who have been selected as the Volunteer Team of the Year for the CRT Wales and South West Region.
The Bath Volunteers cover a 16-mile footprint on the Kennet and Avon Canal and River Avon, from the magnificent aqueduct at Dundas through to Hanham. passing through the World Heritage City of Bath, covering 12 locks, 2 tunnels and 6 bridges.
The Award acknowledges the:
- The impact that volunteers have made. The improvements, restoration, and ongoing maintenance along the canal and River Avon have been outstanding.
- The group has built effective community support and provided effective improvements for service users and the environment.
- Calculating in-kind volunteer hours Over 12 years, it is estimated that the volunteers provide 5000 volunteer hours per year. In-kind volunteers hours at £15.88[2] per hour x 5,000 hours per annum x 12 years = £952,800
- Significant impact on volunteers: The CRT has provided the volunteers significant opportunities to develop new skills, provide a “structured retirement”, give something back to the community, build new friendships, improve well-being and provide a positive purpose in the “third age”, which is so important.
- Mike Ashman, the Lead Volunteer, “ The work and commitment of the 23 volunteers has been outstanding. All through the year, we work twice and often three times a week. We work closely with our Waterspace[3] Partners. We are also very grateful for all the support we receive from other organisations – the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, Keynsham Town Council, Waterspace Partnership. Wessex Water and Bristol and Avon Community Partnership.”
- CRT Research showed the value of volunteering is about £14.4 million per year; £ 6.9 million. is generated by volunteers with the Trust itself, and £7.6m. by volunteers with partner organisations. £5.2m. due to the increased personal wellbeing of the volunteers themselves, and £9.2m. is due to the benefits to society, estimated via a wage replacement method.
