Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Calverley Yard, 4th March 2026 10:00 - 14:00)

Canal & River Trust; Calveley; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading charitable organization for waterways is looking for volunteer lock keepers in Calveley. This role involves assisting boaters through locks, engaging with visitors, and performing minor maintenance tasks. Ideal candidates are enthusiastic individuals who enjoy outdoor work and can commit at least one day a week. Gain new skills and meet local volunteers while supporting a historic tradition.

Benefits

Meet other local volunteers

Learn new skills

Access to more volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Over 18 years of age and available at least one day a week.
• Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Helping boats through the locks.
• Talking to customers.
• Litter picking and/or minor vegetation works.

Skills

Great communication skills

Practical skills

Teamworking skills

Job description

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and have a least a day a week available. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April and run through to October (local variations may apply).

Why we want you

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and have a least a day a week available. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April and run through to October (local variations may apply).

What you will be doing

• Helping boats through the locks
• Talking to customers
• Litter picking and/or minor vegetation works
• When you register as a volunteer, we will ask you about any unspent convictions which you need to declare and risk assess these as needs be.

The skills you need

• Great communication skills. This is all about talking to people.
• Practical skills – it’s also about minor maintenance to ensure that your locks are functional.
• Teamworking skills – whilst you may spend some of your time alone, fundamentally you’re part of a team.

What’s in it for you

• It's a great way to meet other local volunteers, learn new skills, and hear about other volunteering opportunities if you fancy getting more involved.