Change Channels – transforming lives through waterways regeneration

This talk discusses how the waterways regeneration projects and volunteering opportunities transform lives across Scotland’s canals and beyond, and foster a strong sense of community engagement to ensure continued and increasing utilisation of these national assets, now and in the future.

Transcript

1. Change Channels Transforming lives through waterways regeneration
2. Welcome • Scotland’s only National waterways charity • Benefits over 7,500 people each year • Small but dynamic! • Raised £2.2 million in 2015 • Partnership with Scottish Canals • Social impact and regeneration
3. Environment & Heritage Arts & Archaeology at Victoria Foundry • Developed in partnership with Scottish Canals & Archaeology Scotland • Improve understanding of canals • Finds catalogued by Archaeology Scotland • Scottish Canals’ Heritage Strategy • Wider and varied audience - young children to older adults
4. Environment & Heritage • “I learned the skills, patience and the need to preserve history. The best thing has been site surveying with my sons. It’s an excellent idea to get the kids involved in archaeology and history.” Partnership project with
5. Skills & Learning canal college® • Award-winning initiative • 16-30 year olds • 14 weeks • All qualifications delivered outdoors • 72% success rate Green Action • Introductory level • 16-25 year olds • 12 weeks • Young people with complex needs • 65% success rate 100% of young people benefit & on-going support offered to young people
6. Skills & Learning “Without canal college® and the placement, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing. I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today.” www.hlf.org.uk #ChangingLives - Angus, former canal college participant and now Scottish Canals’ Apprentice Stonemason
7. Health Nature Walks for Wellbeing • Being outdoors improves health • 90 minute sessions of mindful, nature- based therapy activities • Vulnerable adults experiencing significant mental health problems • 3 day benefit per participant per walk • Helping people stay well in the community
8. Health • “I feel better mentally, physically and socially afterwards… happier after these walks, I hope they continue.” • “Helps me feel more positive…gives me something to look forward to.” Made possible by: With support from:
9. Volunteering The power of people: Almond Feeder • Feeder key water source to the Union Canal • Innovative partnership & solution • Technical project delivered to high specification • Works value of £12,000 • Volunteers safeguarding canal for the future Partnership project with
10. Volunteering “I was keen to play my part in helping look after the canal, a major part of the heritage…of Scotland”
11. Looking to the Future • Key to regeneration is people • Putting waterways at heart of communities • International markets • The American Friends of Scotland’s Canals & Waterways • canal college®: licenced programme worldwide
12. Any Questions? canal college: Using the Rich Heritage of Scotland’s Canals to Inspire Future Generations Thursday, 1415 – 1440 Visit www.scottishwaterwaystrust.org.uk or follow @scotlandscanals