Thames21

New year, new starter! We are delighted to welcome Lucy Hutchison to our growing Thames21 team. Lucy has joined our 'Evidence' team after recently graduating from Queen Mary University of London with an MSc in Water and Environmental Management. Lucy's interest in the freshwater environment started during her undergrad at Leeds University studying Geography with Environmental Mathematics where she specialised in Hydrology. She is passionate about solving pollution issues within the environment, especially using 'Nature Based Solutions' and is excited to participate on projects such as SYMBIOREM where this can be demonstrated. Lucy's love for water was really enhanced after living on the ocean for two years whilst she sailed around the world. She loves to get out into nature and be by water, whether that's hiking, swimming, sailing, diving or skiing. Read more about her here: https://lnkd.in/gWFr2gMx #newstarter #thames21 #rivers #water #environmentalimprovements #waterqualitytesting

Still can't remember what day it is today? Does the return to work seem too fast? Need a breather? Take a brief moment to absorb the sounds of this South London river. Want to check out a river like this and help restore its health? Part of the local community? Get your 2025 diaries out and pencil in our community, river-restoration activities. More details here: https://lnkd.in/gMDvKnjv #rivers #riversounds #communityvolunteering #2025newyou #2025communityenvironmentalvolunteering #southlondon #relax

‘I really enjoyed learning about the environmental impacts (shocked too!), finding all the weird and wonderful items and learning about the history of the Thames’- BNP Paribas Volunteer Thank you to BNP Paribas for your volunteering efforts in 2024! 174 staff have spent 1,144 hours getting hands on with river restoration activities. Between them, this is what they have achieved:  🌳 650 trees planted 🌿60m² of invasive species removed 🐟452 bin bags of litter removed from the River Thames 🍃 90m² of riverbank scrub removed to allow better access to the riverbank  🌲 40m² of revetment constructed to prevent riverbank erosion  As the human and climate pressures on our rivers are ever increasing, it’s important now more than ever that our rivers are resilient. The team at BNP Paribas has helped to protect London’s rivers and surrounding natural habitats. Book now to secure your team day for 2025 by contacting Rachel Toogood, Corporate Volunteering Manager at corporate-volunteering@thames21.org.uk #employeeengagement#corporatevolunteering#2025#climateresilience 

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Do you do them? Want to get outdoors more, socialise with new people and make a positive difference to the environment at the same time? Part of the local community in London? Look no further than taking part in one of our community, river-restoration events! Your efforts will help improve your local river’s health and habitat for local wildlife. Worried about the cold? Don’t fear! You will warm up pretty quickly with the activities we have on offer. Live in south-east London? Part of the community? Are you free on Monday 13th January between 10am to 14.30pm? Get involved in our pennywort removal event.  The floating pennywort plant can grow very rapidly and form large mats over water bodies. This poses a problem for wildlife and can deplete oxygen levels in the water. This plant also disrupts recreational activities and increases the risk of flooding. We will be removing this plant at this exciting event. More details here: https://lnkd.in/e5SG64P7 #communityriverrestorationevents #southeastlondon #communityvolunteering #flooding #floodingprevention #rivers #canals #wildlife

New year, New career! If you’re looking for a fantastic new role in 2025 then look no further than a new role as Corporate Volunteering Officer with us! Apply now! If you are passionate about rivers and have experience in leading volunteer activities this could be the role for you! Join our team to develop, plan and lead river clean up and restoration activities for corporate volunteer teams on the riverbanks and in-channel on the Thames and its tributaries. Application closes on Friday 17th January. Details below: https://lnkd.in/gayvgFv #greenjobs

Happy New Year from the Thames21 team! Together, we achieved so much in 2024, and we are super excited to achieve more in 2025. In 2024, we worked with our volunteers, partners and funders to offer solutions to water quality challenges, we took part in the ‘March for Clean Water’, we engaged thousands of people to help to improve their local rivers, we helped Londoners to celebrate their local rivers as part of the London Rivers Week festival and we won awards. We really appreciate all your support and efforts. We couldn’t thank you enough. We turn 21 this year, so it’s set to be an exciting year for us. In 2025, we’ll continue to work with our volunteers, communities, ‘River Action Groups’, supporters, funders, corporate volunteering partners and project partners to help to protect the River Thames and its tributaries. Wishing everyone a prosperous and impactful 2025 - we have lots to share with you! And we have a lot of collaborative work to do to help our rivers!

The whole Thames21 team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers, ‘River Action Groups’, participants in our activities, supporters, funders, corporate volunteering partners and project partners for working with us to help to protect the River Thames and its tributaries. Without all of your support, we couldn't have achieved so much in 2024. We appreciate you and give huge thanks to you. We hope you have a lovely and restful festive break and that you can relax, enjoy some time close to nature and visit your local river. Thank you all again and we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy 2025. Our offices officially close on the 25th of December and we’ll return on the 2nd of January. See you on the other side! We want to connect more communities to their local rivers in 2025. Part of the local community? Want to mark some community-based river restoration events in your diary? Please check out our 'What's On' page and register for one of our community-based events here: https://lnkd.in/gMDvKnjv

Ofwat, the water industry regulator, has announced that it will be increasing consumer bills by 35% excluding inflation over the next five years for Thames Water customers. While Thames21 understands the need for investment in infrastructure, we are concerned about the impact on London's households, and we are keen to understand how Thames Water will allocate these funds to improve its sewerage infrastructure while protecting the environment and restoring river health. Read our full statement on Ofwat’s final determination published today here: https://ow.ly/QVOt50Uu8Lp

2024 has been a busy, exciting, and rewarding year at Thames21. We’re extremely proud of all we have achieved and look forward to continuing to maximise our efforts to protect and restore London’s waterways, engage communities, and connect more people to their blue and green spaces. As the year comes to an end, we look back at how it all started 20 years ago and at some key moments and highlights in our 2024 round-up. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/duzuNQ4e #thames21 #roundup #riverrestoration #environmentalaction

We are thrilled to welcome Lula Wattam to our team. Lula will be working as an Engagement Officer. Prior to joining Thames21, she completed an Undergraduate (SOAS) and MRes (Goldsmiths) in Anthropology specialising material culture of bedrooms and environmental exploitation of terrestrial and extraterrestrial landscapes. She has worked as a librarian, gardener, prop designer and activities coordinator with elderly and disabled adults across London. She enjoys creating ponds, taking care of her pet shrimps and elaborate fancy dress. Read more about her by scrolling down our 'Contact Us' page via the link here: https://lnkd.in/gWFr2gMx #newstarter #thames21 #riverthames #rivers #environmentalcharity #riverrestoration #communityvolunteering