PRESS RELEASE – 1st August 2024
As part of a programme of ongoing actions and activities to support staff wellbeing, the Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service (BCVS) team spent the day volunteering on the Python Workboat on the Chesterfield Canal between Shaw Lock and West Stockwith.
Becky Law, BCVS Head of Service and Staff Health and Wellbeing lead, said: “We’d been aware of the great work that the Python Volunteers do for some years and had been connecting with them through Green Social Prescribing, but this was the first time that all BCVS staff had had the opportunity to all take part in volunteering alongside the Python team.”
There were two volunteering sessions with half the staff team on Python in the morning and the other half in the afternoon; seventeen members of staff taking part all together. The half of the team not on Python made use of West Stockwith Village Hall for a Yoga session in the morning and a games session in the afternoon.
The first group of BCVS staff joined Python under blue skies and sunshine at Shaw Lock, just outside Gringley-on-the-Hill. Following a safety briefing and with a cup of tea in hand, staff assisted to bring Python through the first lock and under the Shaw Lock bridge to set off on their journey to West Stockwith.
From there on the team split their time between working from the boat and along the towpath, clearing obstacles and overhanging branches, picking up any rubbish and debris and generally making sure the towpath and canal were clear and usable by other walkers and boats.
At lunchtime the BCVS staff swapped over, and the afternoon team of volunteers joined the boat at West Stockwith and headed back to Shaw Lock, repeating the process and clearing any items and debris that the morning crew had left for them to do.
BCVS staff had a fantastic day! Everyone came away feeling elated from the time spent with the wonderful Python volunteers, working in such a beautiful setting and benefitting from a day in the outdoors, soaking up the fresh air and relishing the experience.
The organisation and planning both ahead of the day and during the session was excellent with detailed communications making it clear to our staff what they needed to wear and what to expect on the day.
As a result of their hands-on experience on the boat, the BCVS team of Social Prescribing Link Workers have been pro-actively sharing the wellbeing benefits with patients with whom they are working to encourage and support them to take up some of the volunteering opportunities with Python and the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The benefits of volunteering and being outdoors are well documented and activities such as these available through the Chesterfield Canal Trust form part of the Green Social Prescribing options available in Bassetlaw and across surrounding areas.
Three of our BCVS Staff members said:
“The Python team were all passionate about their work, very knowledgeable about the history of the Chesterfield canal and future plans for new restoration projects. I enjoyed my time volunteering with the team and enjoyed being on the boat as I regularly see Python the workboat but have never had the chance to be a passenger. I thoroughly recommend anyone to volunteer as it is great for your wellbeing to be physically active, being out in nature, being part of a team to clean up the towpaths and water edges to help preserve habitats.”
“I had a great afternoon on board the Python. It was so interesting to see the way the locks worked, whilst doing my bit for the community and witnessing the effort the team put in to make the operation a success. I would encourage anyone thinking about spending the day on Python to go for it – it’s a lovely, fulfilling process. The cake and cookies were a welcome bonus!”
“Python was an experience with which I was pleasantly surprised. The crew were lovely and extremely knowledgeable about the canal and the workings of the locks; their insight to this relaxing lifestyle, was fascinating. Being able to join in and operate the locks (under supervision of course!) was great and I was able to enjoy the walk whilst supporting the community with litter picking at the side of the canal and alongside the narrow boat. The Chesterfield Canal Trust are a dedicated team who ensure you have a great day.”
Morning Team operating a lock.
Afternoon Team in a lock.
Afternoon Team cutting back vegetation.