Education and volunteering

Whitstable Harbour is not only a wonderful place to visit, it is also a fantastic place for learning and volunteering! 

If you're a teacher looking to take your students' education outside, or if you're a business interested in employer-supported volunteering, perhaps for World Oceans Day, Whitstable Harbour could be the answer.

Canterbury City Council's Harbour and Foreshore Services work with local schools, companies and independent and volunteer groups to promote and deliver hands-on education sessions at the harbour on a range of environmental topics, coastal habitats, marine conservation and water safety topics. With over 15 years' experience, our programmes offer young people the opportunity to experience and explore the coast and marine environment. The project brings young people to the coast and provides a unique outdoor learning experience. 

The Harbour and Foreshore Services is responsible for the management and delivery of a wide variety of coastal facilities and assets along the district's coastline. As part of this responsibility, the department is keen to promote various environmental and education activities linked to our coast, the outdoors as well as the wider environment in general.

Our programmes explore all aspects of the coastal environment, from intertidal ecology to renewable energy (offshore wind power), coastal threats and highlights the importance of personal responsibility. Sessions can be tailored to term-time topics and delivered in a location that provides all the appropriate field trip amenities. 

Staff are on hand to help with the organisation and planning of such field study events, looking at tidal conditions and forecasts, right through to determining the best location for a visiting group needs, e.g. close access to facilities.  

The services are designed to illustrate how important it is to protect our marine and coastal habitats by delivering interactive hands-on activities and sessions on coastal habitats, conservation and renewable energy. We believe it is vital that the next generation understands the importance of these natural assets and resources, how they can be used effectively and how they can be protected and conserved for the future.

Day costs start from £210.44 plus VAT. Contact whitstable.harbour@canterbury.gov.uk 

Beach cleans and litter picks

Various local community groups organise monthly public beach cleanups year-round along the coast. New participants are always welcomed and community groups can be found via social media. (Whitstable Marine Environment Group, Friends of Tankerton Bay and the Bay Beach Clean)

CCC is committed to supporting volunteers who want to take action against local litter. As such, the authority has an online registration system to register your interest. Simply complete the online form in advance of any proposed date, and an office will be in touch to arrange the use and collection of all the litter-picking kit.

To report a litter issue online via the authorities Environmental Problems pages; just follow the hyperlink provided.

Whitstable RNLI

If you've ever wanted to have a closer look at an operational lifeboat, Whitstable RNLI boathouse also offers school tours and safety sessions around the boathouse. 

To find out more or to book a station visit, you can contact the team by emailing whitstable@rnli.org.uk