Downing Street award for WRG worker
A WATERWAYS Recovery Group (WRG) member who has worked on over 500 miles of the country's waterways restoration schemes and who now leads canal ‘camps' for people to help build their confidence and learn new skills is the winner of a new volunteering award, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.
George Rogers (23) is a canal restoration volunteer and canal camp leader for WRG. After a summer canal camp helped George build his confidence five years ago, he was inspired to join the WRG to help others experience the same transformation.
Point of Light
George is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements, with Prime Minister David Cameron explaining:
"Through his work, George is helping to safeguard the heritage and culture of Britain's canals for future generations, which is of great importance. He truly deserves this Point of Light award."
As part of George's role as a volunteer at WRG he helps to plan canal camps, focusing mainly on construction projects such as a new bridge and a new lock on the Chesterfield Canal. The camps consist of groups of 16 to 18 volunteers of different ages and backgrounds, and George plays a key part in building the confidence and skills of the group with specialist training and on-the-job practice and experience.
Help gain employment
The camps, which George runs during his annual leave, see him involved in all aspects of planning—such as working with the local restoration society to write risk assessments and strategies for restoration work. At weekends, in his canal restoration volunteer role, George helps with anything from clearing up greenery in the waterways to repairing a derelict lock chamber so that more people can enjoy the waterways and get outdoors. Thanks to him, over 100 volunteers also have the skills and experience to help them gain employment.
George also joined the committee for his local organisation, the Friends of the Cromford Canal in April 2010 having seen their request for a new webmaster. He took over and rebuilt their entire website, which he now coordinates and continues to develop along with a team of three volunteers who now also work on the website. With his experience of working with the WRG, George also now acts as a local co-ordinator for canal camps and weekends taking place within his area.
Volunteers Week
George is also one of 30 ambassadors for Volunteers Week, an annual event co-ordinated by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which celebrates the contribution volunteers make across the country, and tells:
"Restoring the canals has long been my passion, and it is somewhat humbling to be recognised for something that I enjoy so much. The short and long term benefits to the other volunteers and the wider community make it a truly rewarding experience. This award also represents my firm belief that all volunteering is equally important—whether it be restoring the canals, building a school in Africa or mowing an elderly neighbour's lawn, volunteering is the bedrock of society and I only wish I could do more."
George is the 149th winner of the new Points of Light award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA and was first established by President George H. W. Bush, Over 5,000 US Points of Light have been awarded and both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK which honours shining examples of volunteering across the country.