The aim of the Wooden Canal Boat Society is to save and restore historic wooden canal boats then use them for the community. We have a particular emphasis on working with people who struggle with depression and other mental health issues. Voluntary work on boat restoration and in the charity shop have been found to be beneficial in this regard. Our recycling boat project is similarly helpful and has a beneficial environmental impact. We run "Hazel" as a Well Being Boat specifically to provide time afloat in the waterway environment for people struggling with mental health issues.
The Wooden Canal Boat Society carries out boat restorations at the Heritage Boatyard in Stalybridge. We operate a large charity shop in Ashton under Lyne, which also provides volunteering opportunities, particularly valued by those with mental health issues. "Hazel", a restored 1913 narrow boat, provides get away from it all opportunities through overnight stays, short trips and holidays for people coping with depression and stress. We plant trees every year to replace those used in boatbuilding and to capture carbon. We have a fleet of 6 historic wooden narrow boats and work is ongoing to get more boats restored and into operation.
