Thames21 launches search for London's Waterway Champions

2 June 2008

Thames21 - London's leading waterways charity - today launches its three year Waterway Champions campaign to coincide with Volunteers' Week 2008.

Thames21's Waterway Champions project aims to get over 2,500 young people aged 16-25 volunteering on London's waterways in the next three years. Young people will be trained and supported by Thames21 staff to become Waterway Champions and improve neglected urban waterways in their neighbourhood throughout all of London's 32 boroughs.

Those taking part will make a valuable contribution to their local area, whilst developing key transferable skills in leadership and responsibility. Additionally, they will motivate other young people to volunteer and propose areas around waterways in which to deliver change. The project plans to take young people's interest in waterways as a place to meet and be with friends, and foster a sense of ownership and environmental stewardship for their urban environment.

An award of £266,251 by v, the youth volunteering charity, has financed this project which aims to get young people positively involved in their communities. Activities are being planned throughout London's waterways and starting today Thames21 is encouraging as many young people as possible to sign up and get involved.
A brand new website has been developed to promote the opportunities in this project, and those looking to get involved are encouraged to log on to - www.waterwaychampions.org

Chief Executive of Thames21 Debbie Leach says: "We are very excited to be part of the vinvolved programme. This funding will allow Thames21 create opportunities for more than 2,500 young people to demonstrate their passion about the environment and become Waterway Champions. The full involvement of young people will not only benefit communities by improving the physical environment on London's waterways but will also address negative perceptions of young people within the community."

"vinvolved has been designed by and for young people to make volunteering a compelling choice for all 16-25 year olds in England by tapping into their passions and concerns. The charity aims to change the image of volunteering and make it a 'must-have' part of young people's lives. "

Terry Ryall, v's Chief Executive, says: "v is delighted to be able to fund this innovative and youth-led project, which will enable young people to get positively involved in London's waterways. "

"Young people are at the heart of this new programme which aims to put them at the centre of our communities. Instead of seeing them as a problem to be fixed, we are giving them the chance to become a positive force for change."

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

Notes to Editor
- Thames21 is an environmental charity 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 over 4,000 volunteers, Thames21 removes over 1,000 tonnes of harmful litter from the River Thames, its tributaries and the canal network.
- 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.wearev.com or the young people's portal www.vinspired.com