A PROJECT launched three years ago is encouraging young people to make use of the local waterways.

The Desmond Family Canoe Trail is a coast-to-coast waterways route, connecting Liverpool and Goole and passing through Skipton. It stretches 162 miles along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the Aire and Calder Navigation.

It is funded by businessman and philanthropist Richard Desmond, who helped launch The Health Lottery, and run by the waterways and wellbeing charity Canal & River Trust.

The main focus of the project is to encourage 16 to 25-year-olds to use, benefit from, and care for their local waterway.

Young people from communities across the route, in places such as Skipton, Bootle, Wigan, Burnley, Leeds and Goole, are getting involved in all sorts of ways, from learning new skills such as paddling and environment management, to carrying out maintenance tasks such as painting locks. Through these activities led by the Trail team, they are learning, making friends and supporting their communities.

Danny Matley, Desmond Family Canoe Trail programme manager said: “Since the project launched in 2015 we have supported thousands of people in a range of activities, not only giving them the chance to get out on the water in a canoe or kayak, but also working with them on activities that help them give something back to their community, such as environmental tasks, and hosting sessions to help them learn new skills, such as building a canoe.

“The Trail is making a real difference to people and communities right across the north of England, helping them find out how life is better by water and make the most of the canal or river on their doorstep.”

There are many opportunities for people to get involved with the canoe trail. Free taster sessions are offered in partnership with local canoeing and kayaking clubs and at events such as Leeds Waterfront Festival, and groups can work with the team on specific projects in their area.

Canal & River Trust research shows that spending time by water, whether it be your lunch break, daily commute or just a weekend stroll, really does make us feel happier and healthier.

With ever-increasing rates of obesity, stress and declining mental health in the UK, we are uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to improving the wellbeing of millions of people. The canals and rivers run through some of the most heavily populated communities in England and Wales, providing accessible green and blue space where it’s needed the most.

That’s why, those at the Trust are working with volunteers and communities across England and Wales to transform canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better with a view to bringing wellbeing opportunities to many.

The work involves not only looking after the waterways, but promoting them widely to the eight million plus people who have waterways on their doorstep so that many more people benefit from a free, accessible and local source of wellbeing.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal itself offers 127 miles of walking, boating, wildlife-watching and all-round relaxation. Our team of experts work hard to ensure this 200 year-old canal continues to be a well-loved link between the bustling cities of Liverpool and Leeds.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in Britain built as a single waterway. Leaving Liverpool, the canal passes through East Lancashire and then crosses Pennine countryside and picturesque villages, and towns, such as Skipton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales before reaching Leeds. Walkers love the Leeds & Liverpool, and thousands of visitors come every year to marvel at the impressive Bingley Five Rise Locks and the historic salt town of Saltaire.

The Canal and River Trust encourages volunteers to get involved with the Desmond Family Canoe Trail.

If you’re aged 15-25 and want to make new friends, learn new skills or make a difference to your local community they want to hear from you.

This project offers the opportunity to gain new skills in event planning, social media, digital marketing, promotion and of course canoeing.

Whether a volunteer wants to represent the voice of other young people or organise community events and activities, there’s an opportunity to match. Its Youth Management Board and Action Squads offer plenty of exciting opportunities.

The volunteers meet regularly throughout the year and the project offers the chance to design a local section of the trail, make links with the next sections and create a world-famous canoe trail.

To find out more and see where opportunities might be available go to the Canal and River Trust website website link at: https://bit.ly/2z0JKXf