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Enable Holidays are held aboard the ReachOut Plus canal boat fleet based at Nash Mills, near Hemel Hempstead (see map). ReachOut Plus and the St Albans Diocesan Youth Service jointly organise the Enable Holiday Programme which has now been running for over 15 years.

Taking people who have special needs or physical disabilities out of their usual environment can make such a difference and the outcomes that come from a trip are so rewarding. It gives individuals inspirational and positive experiences, including team building tasks, relationship building, self-development, education and inspiration.

Our holidays are aboard one of our two wide beam boats – Close Shave or Sheldrake II which are fully accessible (see plans). Both have wheelchair access throughout, including a lift to the back deck for those who wish to try their hand at steering. The trip is likely to include a visit to the cinema, swimming at a leisure centre and a barbecue as well as shopping, cooking, working locks, steering the boat and many other activities involved in a group living and working on a canal boat for a week. Enable Holidays normally take place during the May half-term, the summer holidays and October half-term.

The Enable Holidays are aimed at young people aged 11 to 18 years who have special needs, physical disabilities or who are disadvantaged. So that we can be sure they will have a great time, each young person is assessed to ensure that we can provide the right support for their needs. Most participants come from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, although you do not have to live within either of these counties to join an Enable Holiday.

For more information about our 2010 programme, download our brochure.

Interested?

Take the next step and call us on 0845 216 0080. Or enquire about availability, or download our application form.

You cruise the Grand Union Canal, see the countryside as you have never seen it before, make new friends on a holiday of fun and discovery, and meet lots of other canal users along the way.

You will be involved in a range of activities often decided based on the weather, the ability of holiday makers and any special activities going on at the time of the holiday. Normally you can expect your holiday to include swimming, a barbecue, the cinema, lots of opening and shutting locks and a chance at steering the boat. Most of your time will be filled with the activity of living and moving along the canal, however, we suggest you bring a book or activity for the quieter moments, or a game to play with others.

You will be involved in a range of activities often decided based on the weather, the ability of holiday makers and any special activities going on at the time of the holiday.

Enable Holidays are aimed at young people who have special needs or physical disabilities or who are disadvantaged. Places are limited but every effort is made to allocate a holiday for everyone who applies. With the high demand for places, we base our decisions on whether our volunteer teams can meet your individual care needs and whether or not you have been before.

We ask that you arrange your own transport to and from our boat base at Nash Mills near Hemel Hempstead. We will take over when you arrive for your holiday and we will aim to give you a great time. If you want to know more about Enable Holidays contact Malcolm Blaxland on 0845 216 0080 or email us.

Volunteers

If you're interested in joining our crew/carers on Enable Holidays, click here.