Riverlution launches River Don Stewardship Skills Programme in Doncaster

After receiving grant funding, South Yorkshire-based Riverlution has launched its newest Stewardship Skills Programme, a Pathway to Wellbeing and Work in Doncaster.

The funding for the programme comes from the City of Doncaster Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, as part of the South Yorkshire Pathways to Work agenda.

Delivered to six groups of nine participants, and designed to support individuals in building skills and gaining experience to find new routes into employment in the environmental sector, the River Don Stewardship Scheme will welcome 54 participants from across Doncaster.

The Stewardship Skills Programme provides tailored support for Doncaster residents not currently in education, employment or training, as well as offering volunteering opportunities for individuals not able to enter full-time employment, whilst also creating pathways into employment and training.

At the end of the programme, Riverlution has set a target of helping 18 of the participants in the programme to find a pathway into employment through the commitment to three key principles: volunteering opportunities for skill building, building confidence and purpose, plus networking and professional connections.

Sue Farmer, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families said: “It’s great to see that a local organisation is providing opportunities through nature-based activities, personalised support, and volunteering opportunities in environmental conservation. This will be hugely valuable in improving confidence, reducing isolation and promoting mental and physical wellbeing all whilst building skills for future employment.”

Andy Gaskell, Business Development Manager at Riverlution, said: “We are thrilled to announce we are launching our next Stewardship Skills Programme on the River Don in Doncaster.

“The programme will include daily environmental conservation sessions with hands-on activities, integrated on-the-job training, plus one-to-one support and progression planning to encourage each participant to think about their next steps once the programme has finished.

“Following the success of our previous stewardship schemes, we are delighted to be able to join with Pathways to Work to deliver this new programme on the River Don and expand the provisions available for Doncaster residents to enter careers in the environmental sector.”

In the lead-up to Christmas, Riverlution is working with community partners across Doncaster and particularly in the East wards to recruit interested participants to the programme for January 2026.

Doncaster Free Press