Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Whitley VLKs)

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

Job summary

Join the Canal & River Trust as a volunteer lock keeper to help maintain Britain's canals. The role involves assisting boaters, performing light maintenance, and ensuring a welcoming environment for visitors. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking to gain experience while making a difference.

Benefits

Opportunity to meet other volunteers

Learn new skills

Explore further volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Must be over 18 with at least one day a week available.
• Willingness to learn and enthusiasm are key.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Great communication skills

Practical skills for minor maintenance

Teamworking skills

Job description

Join us at Whitley Lock on the Aire-Calder to be part of a growing number of like-minded people who enjoy being outdoors and help us maintain this historic waterway as a volunteer lock keeper.

The role involves assisting boaters if required, general light maintenance of the lock and surrounding area, painting lock hardware and fencing, grass cutting, weeding, and keeping the area free from litter for all to enjoy. You will be working on this project independently once confident, with full support from a Canal & River Trust team leader.

The opportunity can be attended at your convenience once confident, but initially on a weekday.

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 volunteer lock keepers play an integral role in the visitor experience. Their role includes providing a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks, and maintaining the area.

This is a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working outdoors, are looking for something different, and want to support the Canal & River Trust. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Anyone over 18 with at least one day a week available can join. After appropriate training and induction, the role is expected to run from April to October, with some variations depending on the location.

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 risk assessing them as needed

The skills you need

• Great communication skills—talking to people is key
• Practical skills for minor maintenance to keep the locks functional
• Teamworking skills—though some work may be solitary, you are part of a team

What's in it for you

• A great way to meet other volunteers, learn new skills, and explore further volunteering opportunities if interested