In 2021, Canal Dream began as Chuntian Hu’s graduation project at the Royal College of Art (MA Service Design) — a response to the post-pandemic need to reconnect with nature, creativity, and community. What started as a speculative concept has since evolved into a new creative force on London’s waterways.

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In 2023, Canal Dream was officially registered as a Community Interest Company. That same year, Chuntian moved onto a narrowboat and became a continuous cruiser — embedding her life and entrepreneurial journey into the rhythms of the water, and cruising through London’s waterway system for 19 months. 

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As a locally embedded, non-profit organisation led by a newcomer to the UK — a young Chinese female social entrepreneur — Canal Dream sits at the intersection of multiple challenges. We’ve navigated visa restrictions, language and cultural barriers, limited access to funding, and systemic underrepresentation.

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And yet, step by step, we’ve put down roots in London’s canal system — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

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In the early stages, through limited self-initiated funding, a powerful network of collaborators, and the ongoing dedication of volunteers, we sustained the organisation and a range of non-profit public programmes — continuing to generate meaningful social and cultural impact.

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Today, many challenges remain — but so does our belief, and so do the Dream Allies we’ve found along the way. We remain committed to animating these beautiful canals with imagination, courage, care, and resilience.