IWA are trying to facilitate the most effective management of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, as the waterway is a great asset to the area surrounding it. Our volunteers are a vital support network that allow us to achieve a lot more than we could alone. We would like to be able to accomodate our current volunteers but also be able to encourage more people to get involved. This way we can do even more to make this waterway a great leisure facility for all who use it.

By offering a break room facility to volunteers, we hope to show how much we value their support and hard work. We hope they will feel encouraged to come along and help out more often and encourage others to do the same. Our volunteers take on a huge variety of roles such as litter picking, being 'Waterway Wardens', painting, renovating locks and vegetation management. We would like to be able to give something back and ensure their working environment is as safe and comfortable as possible.