The NCBA supports Community Boating Projects that provide access to services on the UK’s inland waterways for the benefit of their local community.

Member projects work with a diverse range of people and other organisations, including youth, elderly, disabled and many other community based groups.

Specific services are provided for those disadvantaged or otherwise excluded in our society. These may include those on low incomes, homeless, prison reform, drug, alcohol and substance abuse and various other life-limiting or socio-economic areas of deprivation.

The aim of these organisations is much more than just access to a leisure facility (as nice as that is, in its own right). It could be for social inclusion, education, rehabilitation (health or offending) and issues of wider community cohesion. Projects are usually charitable or non-profit in nature and most are registered charities.

Projects are predominantly voluntary organisations themselves, relying on donations, fund-raising and sponsorship from within their operating area.

What does the NCBA do?

To ensure that the people who access these community groups receive a quality service, the NCBA have developed a training regime to support projects, which is of the highest standards. The NCBA allocates a regional advisor to all member projects, to ensure both the project has access to advice and support, but also that the standards set are maintained and developed.

Benefits of joining the NCBA

  • Regular meetings provide a powerful means of ideas sharing, opening up a national network of experience
  • Members gain instant credibility, helping to create a bigger profile
  • Members are encouraged to take on our nationally recognised training packages
  • Members have access to online resources to promote & support their project
NCBA