Leading Action for Healthy Rivers – Ravensbourne catchment

Join us in the Ravensbourne catchment and take part in Thames21’s flagship course: Leading Action for Healthy Rivers.

This NCFE accredited course provides everything you need to plan and run safe, effective and enjoyable waterway improvement events, from litter picks to community events and river restoration works. The Leading Action for Healthy Rivers course empowers you to take affirmative independent action by setting up your own River Action Group (RAG) or joining an already established one.

Independent citizen-led initiatives are essential to increasing the resilience of and protecting our rivers. We cannot wait for authorities or government agencies to take the necessary action on our rivers, and after accreditation, you will be part of a growing number of citizen scientists, activists and community groups making a real difference to their environment.

After accreditation, any community event that you run will be covered by Thames21’s public liability insurance, providing legal protection and peace of mind for yourself and any volunteers taking part.

This course also provides a pathway to register as a Thames21 Event Support Contractor (ESC): a freelance role, assisting Thames21’s diverse and expanding work. ESC’s are paid above the London living wage and are vital to Thames21’s work. Working for Thames21 as an ESC provides valuable, hands-on leadership skills, and experience for those wishing to gain employment in the conservation or charity sector.

Leading Action for Healthy Rivers is much more than picking up litter.

The course includes two days of tuition, a practical handbook, additional learning resources, coursework to support your event, leadership development and accreditation.

Leading-Action-for-Healthy-Rivers_course-overview-from-Training-Pack-2020.pdf (thames21.org.uk)

Location: Capal Manor College, Mottingham Ln, London SE12 9AW

Capel Manor College – Google Maps

Start and finish times: Approximately 10am-4pm (exact times tbc)

Upcoming dates: Please contact our Training Officer Edwin Quast to register your interest or sign up here: Time To Spare

The course is tailored to the participants and takes a maximum of 15 people at a time.

Session 1 – Sunday 14th May

You will learn about the challenges faced by urban rivers and be able to identify what proactive steps you can take to assist in the recovery and improvements of these habitats.

Session 2 – Monday 15th May

We will look at leadership responsibilities and build confidence by focusing on the importance of good health and safety requirements when working in and near water. We will also cover promoting your event and talk about how to motivate individuals to come together and achieve common goals as a group.

Session 3 – Attending a Thames21 event of your choosing

You will be required to attend a Thames21 event at a later date to observe good leadership and health and safety practices in person. This will be followed by completion of two evaluations to assess your learning.

The course involves both in-class and outdoors, site-specific learning.

Duration:

This course is run over 2 full days in person, as attending a Thames21 event to see leadership in action at a later date of your choosing.

Accreditation:

Thames21 is a nationally recognised NCFE Customised Qualification Centre.

Fees:

• Free to individuals who have been volunteering with Thames21 projects or wish to establish their own River Action Group.
• Thames21 offers places to local authorities and charitable organisations at a special price – contact Chris Coodefor more information.
• Leading Action for Healthy Rivers is always oversubscribed. Places are offered through a mixture of early responders as well as individuals who can show their commitment in completing the course.

If you have any further questions, please contact Edwin Quast on 07739 627 665

Please register your interest on Time to Spare