This toolkit seeks to give you the confidence and ideas to start out on your journey of engaging young volunteers, with a particular focus on partnership working.

Young people are already making positive impacts across communities throughout the UK. #IWill shows that 4 in 10 young people aged between 10-20 are already taking part in youth social action so there is a huge opportunity for the waterways restoration sector to engage with young people and build stronger, more sustainable organisations.

There is still a perception that young people may not have the skills, maturity or experience to get involved in all aspects of waterway restoration, however, young people have so much to offer and can bring energy, new perspectives and different experiences to your organisation. Engagement with young people does not need to be limited to practical skills on site, involving young people in decision making could bring a diversity of perspective that really benefits your organisation.