Engagement Coordinator

Posted Thursday 23 July 2026 at 00:00 | Expires Friday 14 August 2026 at 23:59

About the Trust

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team:
Engagement Coordinator - 12 month Fixed Term Opportunity

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

This role follows a37 hour working pattern, typically Monday to Friday, but as it's an engagement role, there will be some weekend and evening working to facilitate interaction with communities.

The role is home-based withan assigned local hub in Gloucester forcollaborativeworking. There will be regular travel required throughout the Wales & South West region on the following canals:
Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and River Severn, Kennet & Avon Canal, Mon & Brec Canal and Bridgwater & Taunton Canal. Gloucester will likely be your focus area for 60% of your time due to the 200th anniversary of Gloucester Docks in 2027, however this may be subject to change. You should feel comfortable working independently for the majority of the week, with support available when needed.

Role Overview

The Engagement Coordinator plays a vital role in connecting people and communities with their local waterways through volunteering, create and health & wellbeing projects, youth engagement and place-based community development. Working across South Wales and the South West, the role focuses on building meaningful relationships with communities, volunteers, partner organisations and local stakeholders to create opportunities for people to engage with canals and rivers.

We deliver a diverse range of activities including paddle sports, walking programmes, community events, youth engagement initiatives, training opportunities and volunteer development, as well as key events and celebratory programmes such as open day events and the 200th anniversary of Gloucester Docks.

The role involves recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, coordinating safe and inclusive activities, managing project administration and budgets, preparing risk assessments and evaluations, and ensuring participants have positive experiences that improve wellbeing, skills, confidence and connection to place. The Engagement Coordinator works closely with community groups, schools, local authorities, funders and partner organisations to co-design activities that reflect local needs and encourage greater use, understanding and ownership of waterways.

A key aspect of the role is developing volunteering pathways and supporting volunteers to gain new skills, qualifications and leadership opportunities. The post-holder also helps identify future funding opportunities, captures impact through monitoring and reporting, promotes activities through communications and events, and ensures that safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded throughout delivery. The overall aim is to create thriving waterways that are valued, supported and used by local communities for recreation, learning, wellbeing and environmental stewardship.

Through a place-based approach, you will help create lasting social and wellbeing benefits for communities living nearby.

• Directly deliver activities for children, young people and targeted community groups particularly those living within 1km of the canal.
• To recruit, train and support a team of volunteers including young people.
• To deliver Trust initiatives such as the Let’s programme and other place-based projects.
• Co-create activities volunteering, community activity and recreation with targeted and underrepresented groups including youth groups and those with additional support needs to improve health…