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National Community Boats Association facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Community Boat, Seagull Trust
A community boat from the Seagull Trust, which is a member of the NCBA.

The National Community Boats Association (NCBA) is a special group in the United Kingdom. It's like a club that helps people get out and enjoy the UK's waterways (like canals and rivers). They are also a registered charity, which means they do good work for the community and don't make a profit.

The NCBA helps many different groups of people. They make it easier for everyone to experience boat trips, especially those who might find it harder to access them. Their main office is in Goole, at the Yorkshire Waterways Museum. In late 2008, the NCBA held a big meeting called a National Conference.

Who are the Members?

The NCBA works with over 100 different groups all across the UK. These groups run boats that are made to be easy to use for everyone. This includes people with disabilities, those with learning difficulties, and other groups who might need extra help. People of all ages can enjoy these boat trips!

Each year, these groups help about 250,000 passengers go on boat trips.

List of Member Groups

Here are some of the many groups that are part of the National Community Boats Association:

  • Tarporley - Camden Canal & Narrowboat's Historic Northwich Narrowboat - Regents Canal, London, UK

    CCNA's Historic Narrowboat 'Tarporley'

Training for Boat Operators

The NCBA also helps teach people how to manage and operate community boats safely.

One important course is the Certificate in Community Boat Management. This is a nationally recognized course for boat drivers (called helmsmen) and crew members. It teaches them how to work with young people, older people, and those with special needs on certain types of waterways.

Other courses offered include:

  • Basic Boat Handling
  • Complete Crew Course
  • Regional Training Moderator
  • Senior Trainer
  • CCBM Training Endorsement
  • Additional Course Units

Special Projects for Young People

The NCBA runs two special projects to help young people:

  • Y-AFLOAT: This project gets young people involved in community boating activities.
  • Prisons Project: This project helps families stay connected by making it easier for them to visit loved ones.

The UK Government's Department for Education and Skills gave the NCBA a grant of £123,990 to support their youth work.

See also

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