Re-Union has been an important part of the canal for 10 years. As a social enterprise, it has trained over 150 volunteers to take part in the canal community in the heart of the city. Many of these volunteers have been long term unemployed and have gained skills and experiences which have helped them go on to further education or employment. After completing their training in building and operating boats, the volunteers help out on the barge, hosting education trips, floating youth clubs and the Canal College. They also take part in regular canal clean ups from Edinburgh Quay to Wester Hailes. Re-Union Canal Boats also coordinates the annual Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race.
Would you like to get involved in Re-Union?
Re-Union is always looking for volunteers who want to help out and learn new skills. They are also organise looking for stall holders, entertainers, and volunteers to take part in the annual Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race, this year in June 2014.
What is the Lochrin Belle?
The Lochrin Belle, a big purple boat, is a familiar sight to locals as they enjoy the towpaths from Edinburgh Quay all the way to Wester Hailes and beyond.
The Lochrin Belle is a community canal boat available for hire in central Edinburgh. The boat acts as a catalyst for social cohesion and individual development by training local volunteers to drive, crew and maintain the boat. The boat is hired by a wide range of groups including community groups, voluntary organisations, social and educational services, as well as for private hire. The boat provides a unique venue that can be adapted to make any event special.
What is Re-Union Canal Boats?
Re-Union’s social aim is to support and encourage community involvement on and around the Union Canal. We do this by creating social, economic, cultural and environmental projects. We bring individuals together to train and operate boats; we support and develop volunteer’s skills to assist them into employment, further education or additional volunteering opportunities. We explore the culture and environment of the canal and create projects around ideas generated by our volunteers and canal communities. Through our activities, Re-Union invites people to share in the social and cultural life of the canal
By engaging people in canal based activity we aim to turn the Union Canal into thriving public resource and community asset.
