Aims of the Trust

Aims of S.W. Herts Narrowboat Trust

The South West Herts Narrowboat Trust exists to provide a narrowboat for community and youth groups. Formerly The South West Herts Narrowboat Project and registered as an independant UK Charity, it became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2018, and changed its name.
The Trusts narrowboats are a community resource.

The official aim of the Trust is "to promote without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, the advancement of education and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of people who by virtue of youth, age, infirmity, physical or mental disability or social factors are disadvantaged or deprived."

We encourage maximum use of the boats by the community:
  • for youth or other groups as a day trip, weekend away or week long activity.
  • as an educational resource, for schools / groups to learn more about the environment, wildlife, the waterways, operating a narrowboat, negotiating locks, etc.
  • as an opportunity to see an entirely different view of local towns or taking a 'back door' route into London on the Grand Union Canal.
  • for team building, getting members of a group working together and knowing each other better.
  • in order to gain access to the differing interests and hobbies that range from canal and industrial architecture to wildlife and environmental matters.
  • for all the community to enjoy the waterways and experience the richness of a slowed pace of life on the canal.
  • for building youth group memories that last a lifetime.
  • to provide training facilities and instructors for the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman and Crew qualifications.

The Trust actively encourages volunteers to join in and help

Community involvement at the Trust's base [at Hunton Bridge, near Abbots Langley] is strongly encouraged. There are many rewards from being associated with the Trust and there is always much to be involved with: maintenance, cleaning, training, taking the responsibility as a trained helm, joining in with the Trust's events, and more.

The Trust is financed by voluntary contributions ...

from user groups and grants or sponsorship from local organisations. All the Trust's members are volunteers; there are no paid staff.
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