Canal boat holidays

Canal boat holidays
for disabled people and their families
image courtesy of the Shropshire Star
“We have been enthusiasts of canal
boating for many years owning our
own boat and cruising the canals
from Stratford upon Avon to Bath. It is
wonderful how the canal boat takes
disabled people out of their usual
environment as they enter locks,
handle ropes and steer. The benefits
are lasting and tangible, improving
communication, building confidence
and self esteem and enabling
people to achieve their potential.
I’m proud to support the team
making these holidays possible.”
– Prunella Scales and Timothy West
Actors and supporters
W
heelchair accessible
holidays on the Sussex Coast
If you fancy the seaside, take a break at one of our wheelchair
accessible holiday homes. We have self-catering holiday
homes at Goring by Sea and Elmer Sands near Bognor Regis
and a chalet at the Beach Holiday Village in Bracklesham
Bay, Wittering. Our accommodation is wheelchair friendly
and adapted for disabled people. Dogs are welcome.
Visit www.vasd.org.uk or call 01372 841148
for further information.
VASD
Leatherhead Court, Woodlands Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BN
Registered Charity No 1143985
QEF family of charities
E njoy a canal holiday
Special facilities
• Wide beam for easy
mobility below deck
Cruise the historic Grand Union canal through the beautiful
Hertfordshire countryside. By taking on boating tasks
such as mooring and steering, disabled individuals build
confidence, improve self-esteem and develop new skills.
• Accommodation
for 8 people with up
to 3 wheelchairs
• Large decks at
bow and stern
• Wheelchair-accessible
boarding ramps
from each deck
to the towpath
• Hydraulic lift at both
ends for access
to interior
• Flush toilets
• Wheelchair-accessible
toilet and shower
• Galley with full
size cooker,
microwave, fridge
Our specially adapted
canal boat is moored
at Hemel Hempstead.
Cruising north, the canal
takes you through the
beautiful countryside to
historic Berkhamsted with
its castle, coffee shops,
Heading south takes you
pubs and shops. Further
on a fascinating journey
north the canal passes
removable stairs
through countryside,
or
through
Tring Summit,
at
lockers
er
some industrial history
n
a
3-mile
cutting
with
ge
and on to the sailing
pubs at both ends, and
concertina door
lakes and nature
then through Marsworth
reserve at Batchwood.
reservoirs, a nature
• Buoyancy aids
for all sizes
engine
or
lockers
aft lift
platform
at
ge
settee berth
wc
hanging lockers
concertina door
concertina door
carer’s carer’s
cabin cabin
locker locker
upper & lower
berths
upper & lower
berths
engine
weed
hatch
upper & lower
berths
removable stairs
boat diagram
forward
cockpit
saloon
portable hoist tracks
mobile
medical
bed
galley
wc
settee berth
fold out top bunk
portable hoist
track
forward
steering
forward
lift
hatch
over
carer’s carer’s
cabin cabin
mobile
medical
bed
QEF Jubilee
Additional information
Hire periods are from Saturday
10.00am arrival, dropping the boat
back by 1.00pm the following Friday.
•Car parking is available at the boatyard
at no cost. Please note that bed linen
will need to be provided by you.
Season
Price
Low (Rest of year)
£700
Medium (May, June, Sept)
£775
High (July, August)
£850
The above prices are per week and
inclusive of a qualified skipper on
the first day aboard who will instruct
and acquaint you with all aspects of
the boat. They will accompany you
through the first couple of locks, more
if you would like, to ensure you are
confident in managing the boat.
Day hire is offered subject to availability
at a price of £200 if the individual is
experienced and trained. Alternatively,
skippered day hire is available at £280.
If you would like to discuss alternative
arrangements to those listed above,
please do call us on 01372 841148
settee berth
wcor email [email protected].
Boat floor plan
• Buoyancy aids are available free
of charge.
•The boat carries a first aid box to
deal with minor cuts and bruises.
•Well behaved dogs are the only pets
allowed. Please bring the dog’s own
bedding. For safety, dogs must be
kept on a lead whilst at the boatyard.
•Bring warm casual clothing and
waterproofs as well as soft soled
shoes which are safer on the deck.
For further information and
details of special offers available
visit www.vasd.org.uk
To book your Canal boat holiday
call us on 01372 841148 or email
[email protected]
hanging lockers
concertina door
forward
cockpit
saloon
portable hoist tracks
About QEF
galley
Each
wc year we work with
over 3,800 children and settee berth
fold out top bunk
adults with physical
portable hoist
locker locker
track
and learning disabilities
enabling them to gain
new skills. Whether it’s
learning everyday life
skills, rebuilding a life
affected by brain injury,
acquiring the skills to
fold-up top bunk
drive a specially adapted
lower berth
car or training for future
stowage
employment, we support
disabled people to
achieve their goals for life.
hanging locker
• TV
weed
hatch
r
ne
reserve with wheelchair
accessible walks.
Beyond the reservoirs is
Leighton Buzzard, home
to Whipsnade Zoo. If
you have a two-week
break you can travel as
far as Warwick through
welcoming local villages.
aft lift
platform
• Central heating
Canal cruising
locker
wheelchair, using a joystick. The boat
is moored at Hemel Hempstead and
our trained skipper will greet your party
and give you comprehensive instruction
on the operation of the boat with
particular regard to Health and Safety.
Our canal boat, the QEF Jubilee, has
just undergone a £50,000 renovation
including an engine overhaul, flooring
repairs, windows refurbishment, fixtures
and fittings replaced, and new galley
facilities. The boat is specially designed
and equipped for disabled people. At
55 ft. long and 12.5 ft. wide, she is wider
than standard canal boats, giving you
comfortable access for wheelchairs.
Facilities include a medical bed, hoist
tracking systems and a wheelchair
battery charger. Our boat is adapted
so that even the most severely disabled
people can enjoy steering and
crewing her along the canal, from their
upper & lower
berths
Specially adapted boat
Pricing
forward
steering
forward
lift
hatch
over