Environmental work on the Wey, Thames and Basingstoke Canal.
Endeavour provides environmental work to disadvantaged people on a medium and long term basis. We particularly encourage people to get involved who are unemployed, under skilled, sometimes with mild learning difficulties or recovering from serious accidents or addictions. We also work with charitable organisations and the NHS to support people with mental health issues.
Working on or near to water has a long term reputation of having a calming influence. This together with working with others and talking to our volunteers all prove to be of great help.
On some occasions we work with groups of young people in tandem with Tranquility to help build them gain self confidence and develop collaborative skills in working with others. WE aim to help people develop environmental skills and knowledge and also to acquire boating skills and qualifications.
Endeavour provides environmental work to disadvantaged people on a medium and long term basis. We particularly encourage people to get involved who are unemployed, under skilled, sometimes with mild learning difficulties or recovering from serious accidents or addictions. We also work with charitable organisations and the NHS to support people with mental health issues.
Working on or near to water has a long term reputation of having a calming influence. This together with working with others and talking to our volunteers all prove to be of great help.
On some occasions we work with groups of young people in tandem with Tranquility to help build them gain self confidence and develop collaborative skills in working with others. WE aim to help people develop environmental skills and knowledge and also to acquire boating skills and qualifications.
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Taking care of our precious environment is becoming increasingly important as we learn more about the perils of global warming.
Making a valuable contribution towards this effort, the volunteers working on Endeavour gain enormous satisfaction and self-fulfilment through the physical rigours of repairing river banks, defences and managing environments….out in all weathers, throughout the year. We work from the River Thames at Kingston to Shalford on the River Wey. Our partners are Thames Landscape Strategy, The National Trust, Guildford Council and the Basingstoke Canal Society. Some of the tasks the Swingbridge crews take on include: cutting back overgrown vegetation to improve views, access and safety, creating wildlife havens, hedge maintenance and planting, painting lock gates, litter clearance and controlling invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam, Hydrocotyl and Ragwort. In their efforts to make the most of their lives by learning new skills and working with others, most of our disadvantaged volunteers have described the experience as therapeutic. |
‘It was a brilliant experience for the girls and me, and one I am sure we would like to repeat next year. The community work you do is amazing by the way’
– Ian Peel, Deputy Head of Sixth Form Sir William Perkins’s School
– Ian Peel, Deputy Head of Sixth Form Sir William Perkins’s School
Steve's story
Steve Price worked in the building trade until a car accident several years ago when he suffered a head injury, resulting in permanent memory loss and having to learn to walk and talk again. He hasn’t worked since his injury, and is unlikely to ever do so again.
For a long time, he had resisted suggestions he should volunteer to give him something in his life besides looking after his garden. Working for free did not appeal. He finally agreed to give environmental conservation volunteering based on the Swingbridge2 boat a try after meeting Swingbridge co-ordinator Chris Padmore. He started volunteering in early 2015.
"Volunteering with Swingbridge is the best thing I have ever done. It’s been brilliant. It’s given me confidence and I have learnt a lot about plants and birds and helping the environment. I feel a lot happier – that I can achieve something now.”
Steve speaks highly of the support and knowledge of his fellow volunteers, the routine that his weekly commitment has given him and the sense that he is repaying the support and kindness he has received from other people during his years of recovery.
Steve Price worked in the building trade until a car accident several years ago when he suffered a head injury, resulting in permanent memory loss and having to learn to walk and talk again. He hasn’t worked since his injury, and is unlikely to ever do so again.
For a long time, he had resisted suggestions he should volunteer to give him something in his life besides looking after his garden. Working for free did not appeal. He finally agreed to give environmental conservation volunteering based on the Swingbridge2 boat a try after meeting Swingbridge co-ordinator Chris Padmore. He started volunteering in early 2015.
"Volunteering with Swingbridge is the best thing I have ever done. It’s been brilliant. It’s given me confidence and I have learnt a lot about plants and birds and helping the environment. I feel a lot happier – that I can achieve something now.”
Steve speaks highly of the support and knowledge of his fellow volunteers, the routine that his weekly commitment has given him and the sense that he is repaying the support and kindness he has received from other people during his years of recovery.
If you find what we do interesting and think it might be something you would like to be part of please email our coordinators on [email protected] or call 07973 282239.