The introduction of a fourth ‘quick roster access’ menu is now done, so all rosters are available on a quick access menu . Please contact us if you see any issues. More details see message board z Connect Release Notes [Update 24/7/26, Posted 16/7/26]

Some volunteers cannot find Connect, particularly when not having used for a couple of years. Two additional Connect links have been added to the www.CotswoldCanals.org website. If you go to the bottom of any page on the main site the link is Volunteer Connect and a second link is a boat next to the facebook and media icons. On a laptop ctrl-end will take you to the bottom of a webpage [Posted 10/6/26]

Regular volunteer activities are listed below. To see more volunteer opportunities login and see the 'All Activities' message board.
Saul Junction Visitor Centre Open various days. See Saul Roster From April (11.30-4pm), March 12.00-15.00
Wallbridge Upper Lock Visitor Centre Stroud. Times may vary. Most days. (10-1) Check Wallbridge Roster
Bookshop and Music Sales at Brimscombe Port Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday(sales only), Saturday 10-4
Bookshop at Stonehouse Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 10-4
Bonds Mill Visitor Centre Re-opened Sunday 1 March 2026. The construction work on the lift bridge is complete [Open most Sundays 10-1pm]
Cotswold Water Park Visitor Centre and mini-bookshop Saturday, Sunday and school holidays. In conjunction with Cotswold Lakes Trust. Closed Dec-Feb

Mondays from 08:45: Work Parties - Eastern End Towpath Maintenance
Mondays to Thursdays from 08:30: Western Maintenance/Depot. For current tasks see 'Documents for Volunteers' www.teamconnect.org.uk/documents.php and search 'depot'
Mondays to Thursdays - various days - see rosters. Workboats and Dredging
Mondays to Thursdays. Boat Moorings & Piling & Bank Renovation .

Tuesdays & Thursdays from 08:30: Maintenance Activity at Eastern Depot
Tuesdays & Thursday from 10am: Work Parties Stroud
Thursday evenings Eastern End work party (Summer months, occassional winter Sunday)
Sunday Summit Work Parties: Monthly outdoor canal work at the Tunnel House, Coates.*

Inglesham Trip Boat Charters: April to Sept. Inglesham (at Lechlade) is electric
Western Trip Boats: Trip Boats Wednesdays from Saul Junction (summer). Trip Boats and from Wallbridge (Saturday April-Sept) and Santa Cruises. See www.cotswoldcanals.org/canals-guide/boat-trips-and-charters/
Western Trip Boats Charters: Three boats (one electric) from Saul Junction, Ebley & Wallbridge ( April-Oct)
Canal Walks - Regular summer bookable walks and by arrangement. More details and to book see www.cotswoldcanals.org/canals-guide/walking-tours/

2026
[update 23/3/26]

The upgrade of Connect to version 3.1.12 is now completed. This release migrates all of the e-mail sent by Connect to a new provider, and should be transparent to users. As usual if you see any errors on Connect please email the webmasters. Many thanks [Posted 22/6/26]

Most teams can always use more volunteers, but there are several gaps we’d like to fill if you would like to give it a go, or know someone who would. In particular
• Cerney Lakes Visitor Centre would like several new volunteers
• Saul Visitor Centre needs more volunteers to help fill roster
• Youth Engagement could use a Team Leader to help lead youth volunteering opportunities
• Western Trip Boats have training opportunities on the two narrowboats
• Workboats would like to train more volunteers when current trainees are qualified
• Bookshop would welcome strong and active volunteers for lifting books.
• Western Depot can use all kinds of volunteers, especially people with construction experience
If you, or someone you know, would like to find out more about any of these roles, please email us at
volunteersupport@cotswoldcanals.org. Posted [20/4/26]

Until very recently, Connect had a limit of 20 characters on the length of usernames. We realised this caused a problem if users wanted to use their email for a username as many email addresses are longer than this. The username limit has now been increased to 100 characters, the same as for email addresses. However, some users had already been using email addresses for usernames but anything over 20 characters would have been ignored. If this applies to you, only type the first 20 characters to login - it will now accept more but then the username will not be recognised. Once logged in, you are welcome to change your username to the full email address if you prefer (View/Change My Details).
We apologise for any inconvenience or confusion but we hope that it will make it easier for new volunteers as they sign up. If you have any problems or questions, don't hesitate to contact connect.webmasters@cotswoldcanals.org. [Posted 1/2/26] Release 3.1.9

The CCT style templates are now on Connect. If you are composing a word document or letter then why not use CCT templates. There is an Excel template with CCT colours. There is a Powerpoint template with some page examples. To find go to 'Documents for Volunteers' and search template.
PS If you use Word locally you can install the Word documents as 'dotx' files so they can be used as your default new files [Posted 2/9/25]

Our Data Protection Policy is available to view here on Connect. Select 'Documents for Volunteers' from left hand menu and search 'data'. The Cotswold Canals Trust is committed to continual improvement of our data management procedures to protect the privacy of those we work with and those that support us. This responsibility applies to all persons within the organisation that process personal data, under the guidance of CCT's Data Protection Group.
But don't forget, as volunteers, your data matters too! You can find out more information on your personal rights from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) here - https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/
The Data Protection Group currently meets quarterly and comprises: David Higgs, Lisa Mant, Sasha Pike, a Connect representative and an IT representative.
If you have any questions about how we handle personal data, or suggestions for improving our procedures, then please contact Lisa on mail@cotswoldcanals.com [Updated 10/12/19]

GDPR Confidentiality Statement All CCT Volunteers need to be aware that the Personal information contained within the Connect database is confidential. Therefore, you are not permitted to share your password, or access to the site, with any other person. You are permitted to use the data contained within for the purposes of participating in the volunteer activities run by the Cotswold Canals Trust and contributing to restoration work. Information that is publicly broadcast is not confidential. [posted 06/12/18]

For Health & Safety and Insurance reasons, Volunteer's Training & Competences records are maintained within Connect to ensure that only suitably trained or qualified volunteers use certain equipment.

If you possess a recognised qualification to operate specific machinery - e.g. chainsaws, brush cutters etc - please let me know and forward a copy of the appropriate certificate to connect.webmasters@cotswoldcanals.org.