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