In a bid to tackle social exclusion, the VINCI UK Foundation will work with The Ethel Trust over the next 12 months to help bring the wellbeing benefits of canal and river trips to even more disadvantaged people in South Yorkshire.

Founded in 1988, The Ethel Trust offers day and residential experiences on its community boat from Victoria Quays in Sheffield and Stanilands Marina in Thorne, north of Doncaster.

Where ability allows, guests are encouraged to help the volunteer skippers and crew steer the boat, operate the locks and bridges, and assist with the ‘housekeeping’, improving their self-confidence in tackling new practical challenges and developing their teamwork and social skills. For others, simply being out on the canal or river is enough to boost their mental health and wellbeing.

Each year, the charity welcomes aboard around 1,000 people with very diverse needs – from young people with autistic spectrum conditions to elderly folk with stroke, dementia, or mobility issues.

Aiming to double this number, The Ethel Trust commissioned a second state-of-the-art, fully accessible barge in 2022, which the VINCI UK Foundation will help complete with a £3,000 grant for safety equipment, including a man overboard rescue system, lifebuoys, rescue ladders and lines, fire safety devices, first aid kits, and a cardiac science fully automatic defibrillator.

As sponsor, Martin Hammond, a senior project engineer at VINCI Energies brand Actemium, will assist with health and safety design, along with the practical running of trips, and further fundraising.

“The Ethel Trust does incredible work making the joy of being out on the canal or river – and the wellbeing benefits it brings – accessible to all. I’m really excited to get involved through the VINCI UK Foundation and help make a difference to our community,” he said.

Since its inception in 2016, the VINCI UK Foundation has combined almost £1.4 million in financial donations with the practical skills and expertise of VINCI employees to help over 200 charities or community projects championing social inclusion. Working together with these organisations, the VINCI UK Foundation aims to improve access to training, employment, housing, healthcare, mobility, and leisure activities for society’s most disadvantaged.

“Equal access to leisure activities, such as the barge trips we offer, are part and parcel of a strong and inclusive community. We very much welcome the support from Martin and the VINCI UK Foundation in improving the lives of some of the most disadvantaged groups in South Yorkshire,” said David Tuck, Trustee of the Ethel Trust and skipper of the boat.

Find out more about The Ethel Trust and the VINCI UK Foundation.