WALLINGFORD ACCESSIBLE BOAT CLUB 

The purpose of Wallingford Accessible Boat Club (WABC) is to enable disabled and elderly people to get out and about on the river to enjoy a boating experience of some kind - picnicking, nature ....more

The purpose of Wallingford Accessible Boat Club (WABC) is to enable disabled and elderly people to get out and about on the river to enjoy a boating experience of some kind - picnicking, nature watching, perhaps fishing or just generally "messing about on the river". Whatever the reason, a boating experience of any kind has an amazing effect on the body and the mind - the tranquillity, the gentle pace, the relaxation, the fresh air - a powerful cocktail that is particularly beneficial to the more vulnerable of our society. Clearly, post COVID this societal group benefit most from the safe and healthy space a boat trip provides. Whilst WABC was constituted in the middle of 2018, for a variety of reasons, not least COVID related, we only started operating public voyages in the middle of last year. However in the short time we were on the water we undertook 16 voyages carrying 60 or so members of the public (all free of charge) all of whom were disabled - wheelchair users and 'walking wounded' together with friends and families, and were blessed with remarkable positive feedback from our passengers, young and old alike. Like the Mum and Dad of three children, one 8 year old being a wheelchair user who said it was such a wonderful experience to have a family activity where all the siblings could participate on equal terms; like the Grandad terminally ill with cancer with only weeks to live wanted to take his two grandsons on the water to share a boating experience, his great love throughout his life; like the elderly wheelchair bound lady, highly vulnerable, who had been 'locked in' for many months due to COVID where the extreme isolation she had to endure had left her depressed and very nervous about going out again. What a lovely time she had! And many more stories concerning autistic children, learning difficulties and many others who benefited hugely from their WABC experience. Now we turn to 2022 and the summer season which is almost upon us. Thanks to a successful volunteer recruitment campaign over the winter, we are planning to significantly increase the number of voyages we are able to operate, up to hopefully 6-8 per week (at the height of the season). We know the demand is there as we have, at the time of writing, 25 requests waiting for their turn in WOW-one - and we haven't started promoting in any meaningful way the availability of the service yet! Based upon WABC's operating costs of £10000 per annum and the number of voyages we anticipate, the average cost of a voyage will be £125. On this basis our grant request for £1500 will cover the cost of approximately 12 voyages and it is this 'Package of Voyages' for which we request funding assistance. We will be very grateful indeed for any help that is available.

Funding under Sport England's Community Asset Fund funding programme for a Capital project titled Installation of shed, car park, slipway, toilet facilities. This project is a Sailing & Yachting ....more

Funding under Sport England's Community Asset Fund funding programme for a Capital project titled Installation of shed, car park, slipway, toilet facilities. This project is a Sailing & Yachting project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability.

Funding under Sport England's Community Asset Fund funding programme for a Capital project titled 'Installation of shed, car park, slipway, toilet facilities'. This project is a Sailing & ....more

Funding under Sport England's Community Asset Fund funding programme for a Capital project titled 'Installation of shed, car park, slipway, toilet facilities'. This project is a Sailing & Yachting project, with a focus on beneficiaries with a disability. This funding has contributed towards a Outdoor Recreation - Outdoor Recreation (No Sub-Facility)