VOLUNTEER YOUR WAY INTO EMPLOYMENT THIS SUMMER WITH THAMES21

As the recession continues to limit the number of jobs available, London’s leading waterways charity Thames21 today announces free training and volunteering opportunities that offer valuable skills and experience, transferable to any profession.

With UK unemployment figures soaring, volunteering is fast becoming a very popular option for those who seek to use their free time in a productive and beneficial way.

Thames21, London’s leading waterways charity, is providing a wide range of opportunities to get involved in practical outdoor activities throughout London this summer. Not only will Thames21’s volunteers help to make a real and practical difference to the environment, they can also gain valuable and interesting additions to a CV, including:

• experience in teamwork and leadership
• examples of demonstrating commitment and responsibility

Additionally, volunteers will have the opportunity to socialise and network with like-minded people during events and maybe begin to explore a potential new career option in the environmental sector.

As well as numerous one-off volunteering events throughout London, Thames21 are providing opportunities for 16-25 year olds (hit hardest by job shortages) to develop skills in leadership and management through Thames21’s Waterway Champions programme.

The Waterway Champions training days are designed to skill young people with the necessary knowledge to be able to deliver clean-up events, and become responsible for their promotion, recruitment and administration.   They will also learn how to take charge of necessary risk assessments and health and safety responsibilities for people outdoors in different environments. The days are completely free of charge for those who take part.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, commented:

“Volunteering can be great fun and a fantastic way to put something back into our communities, but it can also boost people's career choices.

I applaud Thames21 for organising these excellent volunteering opportunities specifically designed to give Londoners a helping hand in finding a new or different job.”

Debbie Leach, Thames21’s Chief Executive, commented:

“These times are hard for people looking for ways into employment, whether as an experienced professional or new graduate.

Many are choosing to use their free time volunteering with us, not only as a way of giving something back to the local environment, but as a way of learning new skills and bolstering their CV with unique team-working examples.

We’re pleased to offer a varied range of events this summer, either one-off events for a few hours on the foreshore or one-day training courses, which will act as valuable experiences to all who take part.”

Thames21 volunteer Ben Williams, comments:

"I'd already decided that 2009 would be the year that I finally got involved with Thames21 events, but it wasn't until I got made redundant from my architectural job in March that I was able to make even more of the opportunities on offer.

I have now helped to staff eight events and only wish I had done it sooner! It is so different to my day job, I'm out in the fresh air, I've met loads of interesting people from varied backgrounds, and of course I am helping to make a positive difference to London's waterways. Sure, it can be hard work at times, but I'd still highly recommend it to people who find themselves in a similar position."

Thames21 volunteer Caroline Lewis, 24, comments:

“I graduated just as the credit crunch was starting and saw it as an opportunity to do things that there wouldn't be the time for with a full time job, such as Thames21 volunteering.

I would encourage others to volunteer with local organisations as it makes you feel happy. It gives me wonderful experience as I would like to go into an environmental career and it is very rewarding to be a volunteer.”

Waterway Champions Training Days 2009

Tuesday 25 August
LOCATION: Creekside Centre, 14 Creekside, Deptford, London SE8 4SA.
TIME: 11.00am – 4.30pm (lunch provided)

Thursday 3 September
LOCATION: Walbrook Wharf, City of London Corporation, 78-83 Upper Thames Street, EC4R 3TD.
TIME: 11.00am – 4.30pm (lunch provided)

Training is free, and booking is essential, please contact Abby Kelly, abby.kelly@thames21.org.uk or phone 020 7213 0167.
www.waterwaychampions.org

Thames21’s volunteer clean-up events

For a full list of open public volunteering events with Thames21 this summer, please visit www.thames21.org.uk/events

Ends
Media enquiries: contact James Aldous on 020 7213 0166 or 07827 352675 or james.aldous@thames21.org.uk  

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

• Thames21 is an environmental charity (registered number 1103997) working to bring London’s waterways to life.  Dirty rivers and canals reduce the quality of life for all, harm and kill wildlife, damage the environment and drive people away from vital open spaces.  London’s rivers and canals are precious natural resources providing green spaces for urban communities and habitats for wildlife.  Each year, with the help of around 4,000 volunteers, Thames21 removes over 1,000 tonnes of harmful litter from the River Thames, its tributaries and the canal network.  www.thames21.org.uk

• Thames21 is supported by, and works closely with, the Port of London Authority, Thames Water, Environment Agency, Corporation of London, Encams and British Waterways.
• Thames21’s Waterway Champions is one of 152 projects across the country to be funded by v as part of vinvolved, a new national youth volunteering programme backed by £75 million funding, which aims to inspire half a million more young people to volunteer in England. For more information see www.waterwaychampions.org
• v is the youth volunteering charity launched in May 2006 whose mission is to inspire a new generation of young volunteers in England aged 16-25. v is supported by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office. The charity was set up to implement the recommendations of the Russell Commission outlining a new national framework for youth action and engagement, following a nationwide consultation which included 6000 young people. For more information visit www.vinspired.com