Muir announces how it's getting on board with its chosen Charity of the Year
A SOCIETY keeping traditional skills alive while helping people overcome loneliness and social isolation has been named Muir’s ‘Charity of the Year’.
Muir Group Housing Association randomly selected The Wooden Canal Boat Society from among more than 40 nominations made by staff, and has since started working with the charity to learn more about its role.
While Muir will raise money for the charity during a programme of internal events, it will also be bringing you a series of feature stories surrounding the good work done by The Wooden Canal Boat Society during the next 12 months.
Wayne Pearson, chairman of Muir’s TAG Team staff association said: “I am delighted to announce that Muir will be supporting a very good cause focused on helping people experiencing loneliness and social exclusion by providing volunteering and employment opportunities.
“We hope to raise money for the charity and work with volunteers to promote the very good service it provides.”
With its roots dating back to 1987, The Wooden Canal Boat Society became a registered charity in 1998 and provides volunteering and employment opportunities through the preservation of historic wooden canal boats.
Under its motto of creating ‘new lives from old boats’, it engages engage the community in a variety of activities such as boat recycling trips, running a charity shop, boat restoration, and repairs and maintenance.
The Wooden Canal Boat Society has the second largest collection of former working wooden canal boats in Britain and enjoys the help of up to 100 volunteers per year with its various projects and events.
The boats offer respite for disadvantaged people and those suffering poor mental health, while also preserving traditional boat building skills and the history surrounding their operation.
Based in Ashton-Under-Lyne in Manchester, the charity’s boats operate on various waterways in the country.
It co-founder, Chris Lea said: “It is brilliant to have been selected as Muir’s Charity of the Year for 2017-18.
“We are made up about the housing association’s involvement and the fact that we share common goals.
“Hopefully we can find lots of ways to operate together to help improve people’s lives and highlight the role of The Wooden Canal Boat Society to those who can benefit from it.”
To learn more about The Wooden Canal Boat Society, including volunteering opportunities, restoration projects and the good work done to counter social isolation and respite need, visit the charity’s website at www.wcbs.org.uk
