Cotswold Boatmobility provides opportunities for people who have mobility, mental health or learning disability issues, those who are otherwise disadvantaged (including the elderly) to get out on, and be close to the water in the canals in the Cotswolds. Our aim is to improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged groups by being in a safe environment in the outdoors and on the water. We are currently run entirely by volunteers but we hope in the near future to employ someone to improve our use of volunteers and our access to new groups of beneficiaries.
We have just moved to a new base on the Stroudwater Canal on the Ebley Road in Stonehouse near the Harper Field Auctions site. The charity has been operating since 2014. It incorporated in 2022 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The CIO’s objects clause is reproduced at the end of this document.
We have experience of disability issues and want to create an opportunity for all to participate in water based activities on our newly restored canal. We currently offer two days of boating per week, Mondays and Wednesdays; we are looking to extend boating to other days.
Guests can either sit in (and paddle) one of our Katakanus which are very stable canoes designed for up to six people, or travel on one of our two wheelchair-friendly boats powered by electric engines. We encourage people to be active and participate at a level appropriate to them, e.g. through paddling or steering the boat. All our trips are facilitated by a team of volunteers.
