Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Frankton Locks, Shropshire)

Canal & River Trust; Ellesmere; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Canal & River Trust as a volunteer Lock Keeper and become a vital part of Britain's canal heritage! You'll assist boaters through locks, engage with visitors, and maintain the waterway while developing your skills and meeting other volunteers. An opportunity to learn and explore new volunteer roles awaits you, making a real difference in your community.

Benefits

Meet other volunteers

Develop new skills

Learn about additional volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Over 18 years old.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Practical skills for minor maintenance

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.

Frankton Locks offer a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working outdoors, are looking for something different, and want to support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone over the age of 18 with at least a day a week available can join. After appropriate selection, training, and induction sessions, we expect the role to commence around April and run through to October, with some local variations.

Why we want you

Lock keepers are a historic part of Britain’s canal heritage and play a vital role in visitor engagement. As ‘the face of the waterway’, they help create a welcoming environment for visitors, assist boaters through the locks, and contribute to area maintenance.

What you will be doing

• Helping boats through the locks
• Talking to customers
• Litter picking and minor vegetation works
• Declaring any unspent convictions during registration and participating in risk assessments as needed

The skills you need

• Excellent communication skills, especially talking to people
• Practical skills for minor maintenance to ensure locks are functional
• Teamworking skills, as you will be part of a team even if some tasks are done independently

What's in it for you

• Meet other volunteers, develop new skills, and learn about additional volunteering opportunities