The project set out to deepen community understanding of the Char Valley and its river, while inspiring action to protect wildlife and water quality. It aimed to remove barriers to countryside access, involve young people, and build stronger links between urban and rural communities.

The project aimed to:

• Give all members of the community the opportunity to learn more about the Char Valley landscape, its river, and wildlife.
•  Benefit the river and its ecosystems through continued volunteer action and restoration efforts.

Other aims included encouraging underserved groups, especially young people, to connect with the Dorset National Landscape, removing barriers to countryside access, and fostering links between urban and rural communities.

• The project also aimed to address the climate and ecological emergency by promoting water saving, reducing pollution, and valuing water as a vital resource.

To achieve these aims, the team delivered a mix of science-based activities and creative engagement. This included river walks, talks, and monitoring programs alongside music and art projects.

By blending education with fun, the project tackled pollution, promoted water-saving measures, and built momentum for lasting change.

• Organised science-focused events, including two evening talks and a river walk with a film night.
• Held community information evenings to share monitoring results and promote involvement.
• Continued river fly and CSI monitoring with local volunteers.
• Delivered educational activities with schools and scouts on wildlife and river ecology.
• Created music and art projects with children to celebrate the river.
• Shared information on pollution sources and water-saving measures in partnership with Wessex Water.
• Updated websites and social media, published articles, and prepared publicity for the River Dragon Festival.

The project delivered a wide range of activities to engage the community and protect the River Char:

Community Events:

• River walk and film night
• Two evening information talks
• Outcomes included stronger social connections, 15 new river fly monitors, and greater awareness of pollution impacts.

River Monitoring:

• Expanded river fly and CSI groups with regular rotas
• 10 volunteers trained in basic river fly and 5 in advanced monitoring
• Primary school expressed interest in summer river fly studies.

Education & Engagement:

• Talks for Charmouth Primary School and Explorer Scouts on river wildlife
• Practical activities like building water vole rafts
• Art and music projects with schools, scouts, and local artists.

Science & Awareness:

• Shared pollution and water-saving information
• Created River Charter and Declaration of Rights for community signing.

Publicity & Festival Prep:

• Improved social media and website presence
• Articles in local magazines
• Organised parade with Morris dancers, musicians, Misty the dragon, and community art displays.

The group successfully delivered its aims through a river walk, film night, and two evening talks, all well-attended. These activities strengthened volunteer networks, raised awareness of pollution, and recruited 15 new river fly monitors.

• Community participants: Over 100 people took part in events.
• Volunteer hours: 429.5 hours contributed, worth £6,310 in-kind.
• Young people engaged: Around 100, including 60 pupils, 8 scouts, and workshop participants.

Additional outcomes included school wildlife programmes, vole raft building, creative art projects, and drafting the River Charter and Declaration of Rights of the River Char.

Social media and publicity improved, and the group rebranded as River Char Action Group (RAG).

The group planned for long-term sustainability beyond the initial project. They prepared to seek future grant funding, including applications to the Wessex Water Fund, request donations from local businesses, and secure continued small-scale support from the Parish Council, which had already agreed to contribute.

In addition, they intended to set up a crowdfunding page to involve the wider community in supporting ongoing river conservation work.

Suggestions to others thinking of doing a similar project:

One of the key lessons from the project was the importance of good record-keeping. Volunteer documents and receipts needed to be completed at each event to keep everything clear and organised. Another takeaway was encouraging volunteers to log all the hours they spent working from home on admin or planning tasks. Capturing these contributions gives a true picture of the effort behind the scenes and helps demonstrate the full value of volunteer support.