Thank you all of your hard work over the last year. Lewisham’s rivers are in much better condition thanks to the work that you do. We look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.
Leading a Waterway Clean up – Thames 21
Thames 21 Essential Train Course
Thames 21 foundational course, called Leading a Waterway Clean Up, is for people interested in learning more about waterways and why they are important. The course contains everything you need to know to plan and run safe, effective and enjoyable waterway improvement events.
There is no obligation to actually run events once you have taken the course. Some take it simply for the learning experience. But many do go on to assist our officers with Thames21-led events, and others lead events on their own with our support. Their trainees have engaged in some exciting work over the years!
How is the training structured?
Leading a Waterway Cleanup is a 2-day
course open to all, including those who may not have any prior experience with environmental issues or with working around water. We combine classroom sessions with volunteering so that you get the best possible learning experience. We also ask you to complete a small amount of written work. Our course is certified by ncfe*, the national accrediting organisation and you will receive your ncfe certificate upon completion. Having ncfe accreditation assures us that the content of our training is of a high standard and thoroughly prepares trainees to support and lead events on their own with confidence.
When do sessions take place?
We schedule sessions throughout the year in east, west and central London. Typically sessions are on weekends but there are some weekday sessions as well. Trainees must take Day 1 before Day 2 but do not need to take them in the same series. For example, you can take the Day 1 session offered in April and then, because of other commitments, not take Day 2 until July. Or September. Sessions are meant to be flexible.
See the bottom of this page for details on how to register for sessions.
We also deliver our Leading a Waterway Cleanup course to local groups who wish to be trained together. To schedule something for your group, please arrange for bespoke sessions by the Training Officer .
How can I use the benefits of the course?
Become an event support team member:
The event support team is a team of volunteers who assist our project officers to run safe, effective, and fun events.
Become a badged group leader: With a Thames21 badge, Thames21 will support you running your own events.
How much does it cost?
The training is currently free for volunteers, with a Pricing Structure in place for volunteer managers and corporate groups. Please contact the Training Officer for more information
To Register:
You must complete an online Registration Form before you can take any trainings with Thames21.
1) Click here to complete the Registration Form, selecting your preferred sessions and dates at the bottom of the form.
2) If you have already registered with us and are interested in signing up for another session, please fill out a Bookings Form by clicking here.
3) Await confirmation from Training Officer.
Volunteers working in Ladywell Fields
Volunteers have been working on clearing the nettles on the river banks at Ladywell Fields! This is to make way for wild flowers to come up in the spring and summer. Some areas of nettles will be left for wildlife. If you would like to come along and help us, we will be working at Ladywell Fields by the cafe for the next two Tuesdays, meeting at 11am. Bring work boots and waterproofs!
River Pool Conservation Days
Join Thames 21 for some fun clean up in the River Pool
Linear Park (Catford)
River Pool Conservation Days (Every Wednesday)
• Volunteer and discover the River Pool through Linear Park, Catford.
• Help shed more light on the river and improve its bio-diversity for plants and animals
• Maintain and improve the footpath along the river
• Build flow deflectors and berms in the river channel to increase flow diversity
• Other tasks include scrub removal, tree pruning and litter clearance
• All welcome, all equipment provided, just wear old clothes and bring lots of enthusiasm.
Every Wednesday, 10-3pm, stay as long as you like.
Tea provided all day
Meet 9.30 at Winsford Road Bridge on the Waterlink Way.
For more information on upcoming events please contact Vic Richardson
07973 442219
This Project is Sponsored by Lewisham Council
Volunteers work on clearing the backwater at Ladywell Fields
Volunteers have been clearing reeds from the backwater by the cafe at Ladywell Fields. We remove the reeds to maintain areas of open water for breeding. Species such as newts need these open water areas for mating. Of course, many of the reeds will be left to provide wildlife nesting areas and refuge for birds. This work needs to be done over the winter to minimise disturbance to wildlife and have the pond in top condition ready for next spring.
July – September 2017 RBSM programme now available
After a busy Summer of events, a huge amount of work was achieved by all the volunteers that came out and did their bit for Lewisham’s rivers. There is always work to do though, so if you missed out or enjoyed yourself so much that you’d like to do more, please have a look at the new Rivers and People programme to see if you can help. You’d be very welcome!
Frog Day at Devonshire Road 23 April 2017
New RBSM Programme now available
The January – March 2017 RBSM programme is now available. If you are new to the River Bankside Sessions, please check out our How to get Involved, FAQ and River Volunteering pages where hopefully you will find all the information that you need. If after reading this you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us. You can also read a little about the team that you’ll be working with.
Healthy Rivers challenge
Citizen Scientists needed for Ravensbourne Catchment
We’re writing to invite you to sign up for training for an exciting new volunteering opportunity – the Ravensbourne River Monitoring Initiative (RMI).
Are you a Citizen Scientist in the making, fascinated by the wriggly creatures that anchor the ecology of a healthy river? Would you like to learn and apply simple sampling techniques to monitor these invertebrates? Are you prepared to commit to doing this regularly, to provide a continuous picture?
Our local rivers – sometimes invisible or channelled into concrete, elsewhere happily restored – form the Ravensbourne Catchment. The Ravensbourne, Quaggy and Pool rivers capture nature’s water and move it to the sea via the Thames at Deptford.
RMI is a proven method of checking on our rivers, already used elsewhere in London and the UK. We are organising an RMI training day in southeast London on Saturday 21st May 2016. It will be run by Joe Pecorelli of the Zoological Society of London. Volunteers need to be fit enough to stand in or near a river regularly and be prepared to work in a small team.
We’ve both had this training and are keen to start up an RMI scheme on the Ravensbourne Catchment. RMI can flag up pollution, reveal ecological variety, and raise public awareness around rivers. And it’s welly good fun!
We are happy to answer any questions and to speak informally to local groups. Please see the attached flyer for details of the training day.
Rivers and People 