Staff member takes a trip to experience the work done by 'Charity of the Year'
MUIR has experienced the good work done by the Association’s chosen charity for itself after a member of staff stepped aboard one of its canal boats.
Money Advisor, Wayne Pearson, who is also chairman of Muir’s staff association, visited the volunteers at The Wooden Canal Boat Society as they look to transform boats and help people to transform their lives from their base at Portland Basin in Manchester.
Wayne (pictured right) got to learn more about how the Society operates and enjoyed a snapshot of canal life by taking a trip on the city’s waterways on one of the barges restored by the volunteers themselves.
“The Society helps people overcome loneliness and social isolation while keeping traditional skills alive,” Wayne said.
“It was great to visit them and speak to the volunteers about what they do and see them in action.”
Having begun operating in 1987, The Wooden Canal Boat Society became a registered charity eleven years later and provides volunteering and employment opportunities through the preservation of historic wooden canal boats.
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.
Wayne met with the Society’s founder, Chris Lea (below), who gave the Muir man a tour of one of the restored boats ‘Hazel’ known as ‘The Wellbeing Boat’. 
“It was fantastic to step aboard and imagine life on one of the canal boats,” Wayne said.
“I could see how much effort had gone into restoring the boat to its former glory, and although it serves a different purpose now, it was interesting to imagine its past industrial life too.
“Chris and his team are very knowledgeable about the canals and taught me a lot about the boats and how they operate.”
Hazel, a horse-drawn boat now pulled by other boats, was originally used for transporting salt before becoming a coal barge serving industries in the area.
“It is now a really intimate and comfortable boat, which makes great use of the space and would make anyone feel relaxed and at home,” said Wayne.
“Enjoying the sights of Manchester’s canals as we edged along the waterway was a memorable and relaxing experience.
“I can see why the Society is a good way to benefit people suffering from mental health difficulties, both by enjoying a similar boat ride and being able to take things at a slow pace, or by having something to focus on like helping the volunteers with their work.”
To learn more about The Wooden Canal Boat Society, including volunteering opportunities, visit www.wcbs.org.uk
