Investing in volunteers could carry canals through the recession

The third sector could be vital as funds run short, but firms must invest to reap the benefits. Kaye Wiggins reports

 

A charity chairman has warned funding gaps for canal maintenance will be filled by voluntary workers during the recession.

Mike Palmer, head of Waterways Recovery Group, a voluntary organisation helping to restore derelict canals, said: “Suddenly, budgets are tight and British Waterways is using volunteers.

“If BW gets it right, the third sector could play a very effective role.”

But a cultural shift in the way companies work with volunteers is needed, Palmer said. “Waterway authorities like BW say they're good at partnerships, but they're not used to being partners with volunteers.”

 

The benefits of volunteers

 

Ed Moss, BW's national volunteering manager, insisted the company is waking up to the benefits of working with the third sector, and adapting its approach to accommodate this.

 

“Last year BW saved around £400,000 through ‘volunteer days’ when we worked with local groups on canal-based projects.

 

“Restoring canals is a challenge in a difficult economic climate, so we work with volunteers to manage what we’ve got and to extend it further.”

 

New practices

 

BW introduced a volunteer policy in September 2008. It includes health and safety provisions for voluntary workers and recognizes the need to train staff to work with them.

 

Moss said: “The importance of volunteers hasn't been recognised corporately until now. We need to get a clear grip on what’s happening across the country. Then we’ll be able to work with them more effectively.”

 

The third sector should never be used to replace paid staff, Moss insisted. “It’s about added value.

 

“Volunteers do things that BW would like to do but can’t afford to. Their professional expertise and physical labour make canals more sustainable in the long term.”

 

The cost

 

But working with volunteers can be a costly process, said Peter Mallon, communications officer for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

 

“We have a lottery-funded volunteer programme, so we actually spend money on bringing volunteers in and having systems to work effectively with them. They need tools, guidance and support.”

 

Far from cutting costs, setting up effective volunteering schemes requires investment to produce long-term money-saving results. If BW adopts this approach, it could be one of the recession’s most positive long-term outcomes for waterways.