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Waterside Champion (Volunteer Tunnel Keeper)

Love the Outdoors? Looking for Something a Bit Different? Become a Volunteer Tunnel Keeper at Harecastle Tunnel!
Join our friendly team and help support the Canal & River Trust by volunteering at one of the UK’s most iconic canal tunnels. This flexible role is available 7 days a week – you choose the days that suit you!
What You'll Be Doing: Welcoming boaters and visitors with a warm, friendly face Delivering a vital safety briefing to boaters before they enter the tunnel Monitoring boat passages and staying in touch with the team at the opposite tunnel entrance Assisting with any incidents that may arise Talking to walkers, cyclists, and other visitors about the tunnel and the work of the Canal & River Trust
Why Volunteer With Us? Spend time outdoors in a unique, historic setting Be part of a supportive, passionate team Make a real difference in your community Gain new skills and meet interesting people No experience needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!*
Requirements: Aged 18 or over Friendly, reliable, and safety-conscious
Ready for an adventure? Come help us keep Harecastle Tunnel moving safely and smoothly – and have fun while you're at it.

Why we want you

As a Waterside Champion we need your support to be there for our customers. The millions of visitors to our waterways, museums and attractions are intrigued by our wonderful 200 year old network. Our Champions are there to facilitate a great experience all.

There are a number of activities which you could be involved with along our towpaths at our Welcome Stations; demonstrating in our collections teams at our museums; caring for and operating our swing and lift bridges to support passing boaters; facilitating safe passage through our tunnels where additional boater support is needed.

We have other roles which complement our Waterside Champions in more specific day to day customer focused roles: Rangers, Lock keepers, Explorers, Waterside Champions and Youth Engagement roles.

What you will be doing

  • Representing the Trust to welcome and engage visitors, customers and local people
  • Volunteering in a team to care for the day to day operation of the waterways
  • Operating key part of the waterways to ensure safe passage by boaters and talking to members of the public about them
  • When you register as a volunteer, we will ask you about any unspent convictions which you need to declare and risk assess these as needs be.

    • The skills you need

  • Friendly
  • Reliable
  • Good with people
  • Happy working with others

    • What's in it for you

  • Sense of reward
  • New experience in a unique environment
  • Opportunity to help those in need
  • A supportive network of colleagues

    • Waterside Champion (Volunteer Tunnel Keeper)

    Canal & River Trust
    Stoke-on-Trent, UK
    Full-Time

    Published on 26/09/2025

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