Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust were winners in the Canal and
River Trust’s Living Waterways Awards ceremony, which took place in
Birmingham on Thursday October 10.
The awards shine a spotlight on the amazing work done by individuals,
communities and organisations to make life better by water by creating vibrant
thriving living waterways.
LHCRT’s Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve/Lichfield Canal Restoration was
judged the best in the Learning and Skills category at the awards ceremony,
hosted at a celebratory dinner at the International Convention Centre hosted by
waterways champion, poet and raconteur Ian McMillan.
The Learning and Skills section identifies the scheme/project that uses the inland waterway as a means to develop and increase knowledge and skills, and to raise awareness, involvement and understanding through either formal or informal learning. Entrants also have to show how the scheme has provided wider social benefits, and/or led to improved personal development and employment opportunities.
Students from South Staffs College working at Fosseway Heath come from a number of disciplines. One group, from the Rodbaston campus, studying Carpentry and Multiple Occupations, attend site on Thursdays and Fridays. Students from the Tamworth campus, studying Bricklaying and Multiple Occupations, attend on Mondays and Tuesdays, with a further group of Engineering students on site on Wednesdays. The college has found difficulty in finding places for these 100+ students to obtain the necessary work experience for the courses they are studying and the opportunity to work with the Trust on the restoration of the canal is a very rare and valuable outlet.
With volunteers from the Trust’s own teams, added to those from the college, Queens Croft High School, scout groups and corporate volunteers, the Trust has a diverse range of people benefitting from the upskilling the project provides.
Watch a video of our volunteers in action on the day the judging took place (June 18th)
The Judges Commented:
"Many volunteers are retired skilled professionals,
this project gives them the opportunity to use their skills and to teach others.
The use of the site for practical training for construction students is inspiring
and could be replicated on many other sites."
Read more and see all the category winners on the the Canal & River Trust Website.
