Let’s Brighten Southall’s Canalside!-Your Voice, Your Town

We are the Friends of the Grand Union Canal – a group of local residents, boaters and volunteers brought together by a shared love of the canal (and who’ve genuinely become friends along the way). What started as a few people with litter pickers has grown into a friendly, welcoming community that enjoys looking after the canal and spending time outdoors together – usually with plenty of chat along the way.

What we are going to do
Thanks to funding from Your Voice, Your Town (Southall), we’re making it easier for more people in Southall to get involved. We will install two secure storage cabinets stocked with litter-picking equipment, so volunteers can join in without needing their own kit (no more “I would, but I don’t have a grabber!”). We’ll also repair and refresh a large canal-side mural, restoring a well-loved local feature. Alongside this, we’ll run informal taster sessions and planting activities to help people try something new and make a visible difference to the area.

Why we want to do this
The canal through Southall is a fantastic local space, used and enjoyed by many, but it does need a bit of ongoing care. Access to equipment can be a barrier, and some features, like the mural, have become tired over time. By improving access and creating more opportunities to take part, we want to help people feel more connected to the canal and proud of the space we all share (and keep it looking its best).

What we are most excited about
We’re most excited about welcoming more people in. It’s always great to see someone come along for the first time and realise how easy – and enjoyable – it is to get involved. The storage cabinets will make spontaneous volunteering possible, the mural will be something the whole community can take pride in, and the planting sessions will leave a lasting impact (and hopefully a bit more colour than the average crisp packet).

How people can get involved
Everyone is welcome to join us. You can take part in litter picks, taster sessions, or planting activities – no experience needed and all equipment will be provided. We’ll share updates and event details through our usual channels, so keep an eye out and come along when you can. Whether you join us once or regularly, you’ll be very welcome.