With more people choosing to explore the UK’s waterways, extra support is being sought to help ensure the smooth operation and a welcoming experience for visitors and boaters.
LOCK keeping has been central to Britain’s waterways for centuries, and today, volunteers with the Canal & River Trust play a vital role. They assist boaters through locks, support staff maintaining the network, and offer guidance to members of the public enjoying local towpaths.
Volunteering opportunities are available at several key locations, including the Tinsley Flight on the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal and sites along the South Yorkshire Navigation in Rotherham, Mexborough, Swinton and Doncaster. Specialist roles are also available at tidal locks such as West Stockwith and Keadby, as well as positions in Wakefield helping guide freight barges.
Enjoy more Towpath Talk reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.
People typically work on a shift basis, with some continuing throughout the year. Full training is provided, and applicants aged over 18 are encouraged to apply, regardless of previous experience.
Sean McGinley, the CRT’s regional director, said: “Our volunteer lock keepers play a key role in keeping things running smoothly and helping visitors and boaters with their local knowledge, with the opportunity to chat with people face-to-face in the great outdoors.
“Volunteering is open to everyone, it is flexible, and it offers a rewarding experience where you can really make a difference. Those who help our charity are doing something positive for their local community, connecting, meeting new friends, and making a big difference to the canals and rivers that matter to them.
“You don’t necessarily need experience of boating or working on the waterways, the most important things we’re looking for are enthusiasm, willingness to learn and a friendly manner. It’s a wonderful opportunity to keep the tradition of lock keeping alive.”
The appeal comes during a strong period for volunteering, with more than 8000 people contributing over 750,000 hours across the charity’s network in 2025/26.
The organisation estimates that about nine million people live within a ten-minute walk of a waterway it maintains and is encouraging more people to get involved and help preserve these historic spaces.
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/volunteeringCRT
