WELLBEING ACCESSIBLE CANAL BOAT PROGRAMME

WELLBEING ACCESSIBLE CANAL BOAT PROGRAMME
SUPER RELAXING, RESTORATIVE & MINDFUL
Delivered By: CanalAbility, Harlow, Essex

DATE: Monday, 9 Sept 2024 (all day)
AGE RANGE: 10 – 28yrs
MAX NUMBER OF BENEFICIARY PLACES: 2
NOMINATIONS DEADLINE: midday, Saturday 31 August

Out on the open water. Super relaxing experience on an accessible narrow boat. Explore the River Stort. Opportunity to detach from the chaos of daily life. Recharge and reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy the idyllic Hertfordshire and Essex countryside.

Take a full and active part in this 4-hour relaxing day trip boating experience on board ‘Stort Daybreak’ which is fully accessible, with ramps and lifts enabling easy wheelchair access, plus the boat has disabled toilet facilities and other adaptive technology to allow everyone to take an active part in its operation.

 

PRIORITY NOTE
As a small charity with extremely limited resources, priority will always be given to children, young people and young adults who have NOT been the recipient of either a unique Muscle Dream or one of the charity’s Muscle Dream programmes, whether delivered virtual or in-person. We will aways do our very best to accommodate. We will inform successful nominees by phone and as ever, the charity’s decision is final.

KEY OUTCOMES / TAKEAWAYS

  • Being on the river boosts mental & emotional wellbeing.
  • Experience the therapeutic benefits of spending time on the waterways.
  • Empowering with a great sense of achievement when steering!
  • Boost confidence, uplift self-esteem, build motivation.
  • Listen to the Skipper, take the tiller & feel the freedom!
  • Appreciate the beauty of the river and the trees around you
  • Connect with other Muscle Warrior families
  • Be presented with your wings!

TIME TO RECONNECT + BEING ON THE WATER
This programme offers two families the chance to reconnect with nature and find inner peace. Whether it’s the gentle sway of the boat on a calm river or just the peace and quiet of the environment that you are in, there’s something inherently soothing about being near water.

BEYOND JUST RELAXATION
The healing power of water extends beyond just relaxation; it can also have profound effects on mental and emotional wellbeing. Studies clearly show that being near water can reduce stress levels, improve mood, and promote feelings of calmness and serenity. In broadening beneficiary horizons, we aim to transform a person’s outlook and encourage a desire to experience new things in their lives.

OPERATIONAL PARTNER – OUR FRIENDS AT CANALABILITY
This programme is being delivered in partnership with CanalAbility (Reg Charity No. 1108452), an award-winning charity, with over 25 years’ experience, dedicated to providing day trips for people with disabilities, their families, friends and other disability charities and community groups.

 

CanalAbility logo

FULLY QUALIFIED SKIPPER
CanalAbility steer and whilst their specially adapted canal boats provide all the facilities needed for people with disabilities to enjoy and fully participate in the trip, all you have to do is relax, breathe and enjoy the day. CanalAbility provide a fully qualified skipper and crew, plus we will have a number of MHF Volunteer Hosts to ensure that your journey is comfortable from the moment we depart. Either way, you can take it easy and enjoy the scenery, or get involved and take the tiller.

TWO (2) BENEFICIARY PLACES AVAILABLE + NUMBER Of PASSENGERS
The Muscle Help Foundation is offering two (2) beneficiary places to young people and adults with muscular dystrophy. Each beneficiary may bring up to a maximum of two (2) family members or two PAs/carers i.e. up to a max group size of three (3) people.

 

 

KNOW SOMEONE WITH MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?
If you know someone aged 10 – 28yrs with muscular dystrophy (MD)? Please share this so that as many young people and adults with MD across the UK hear about this opportunity and can either self-nominate to participate or ask a parent/PA/carer or guardian to nominate them.

WE REALLY LOVE NOMINATIONS THAT MAKE US LAUGH!!
Tell us as creatively as you can in the message section of the online nomination form what it would mean to you and your family to be selected for this Muscle Dream programme. Should any beneficiaries have a learning disability, mums and/or dads and/or brothers/sisters etc can of course and indeed are encouraged to help with the nomination – remember, the more fun, the more creative, the better!

FILMING + PHOTOGRAPHY
The programme may be filmed and photographed – the Muscle Help Foundation charity will require written consent by parents (for those under 18yrs of age).

SAFETY FIRST & FOREMOST
When out on the water, safety is of vital importance. Working closely in collaboration with CanalAbility, our collective aim is to ensure that all beneficiaries and those involved have a brilliant experience. The Muscle Help Foundation charity will be abiding by the Health & Safety regulations as outlined by CanalAbility. Once successful beneficiaries have been informed that a place has been offered on this programme, full completion of MHF’s online Muscle Dream registration form will be required in advance.

    NOMINATION FORM:

    All fields must be completed

    Beneficiary Name:

    Beneficiary Date of Birth:

    Age:

    Condition Name/Type of Muscular Dystrophy:

    Nominees Relationship to the Beneficiary::

    If you will be accompanying the beneficiary please specify your relation to them:

    Primary Contact Email:

    Primary Contact Mobile:

    Landline:

    Beneficiary Address incl Postcode & County:

    Nomination Message:

    Tell us below, as creatively as you dare, what it would mean to you and your family to be selected for this year’s Wellbeing Accessible Canal Boat programme – the more fun, the more creative, the better!

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