The Waterways Trust

The Waterways Trust is a national charity. Since 1999 the Trust has worked to enrich people's lives through waterways. Our vision is to see the UK waterway network supported, valued and enjoyed by everyone. By identifying need, building partnerships, raising funds and delivering projects, we are helping communities to become greener, healthier, safer, smarter and wealthier.

We do this as a charity and partnership organisation, always working with others.

Greener - projects and activities that provide people with new insights into heritage and the environment, its care, improvement and interpretation and sustainability.

Healthier - projects and activities that promote and encourage healthy activity and lifestyles, provide new and innovative experiences, are inclusive and improve access to waterways for all.

Safer - projects and activities to promote safe use of the waterways, discourage anti-social behaviour, promote respect for others and the environment and strengthen communities.

Smarter - provide new and innovative learning experiences, particularly for young people, that are fulfilling and encouraging achievement, relevant to employment and tailored to personal needs.

Wealthier - projects and activities that create the conditions for inward investment, employment and economic prosperity by improving the waterways for all, raising participation and appreciation of the waterways in the community, improving the local skillbase and engendering ownership and pride.

We also look after the nationally important inland waterway collection. The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, Gloucester Docks and Stoke Bruerne brings the history of our waterways to life for everyone to enjoy.

Since 2002, we have been raising funds for community projects along the upper reaches of the River Thames. Over the past seven years a range of activity, access, educational and environmental projects have benefited from grants totalling over £200,000.

One such project benefiting from our Thames Appeal is the Beale Park Thames Boat Show. Thanks to donations from our supporters, we have been able to award funding to the Boat Show to help improve facilities at the site and increase awareness of the event so more people are able to learn about, experience and enjoy all that the Thames has to offer.

 For more information about who we are and what we do visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk