The NBTA is an unfunded organisation run entirely by volunteers. It campaigns and provides support and advice for boat dwellers without permanent moorings on Britain’s inland and coastal waterways.
Our community has few specific rights in law and navigation authorities do not always respect our homes. We are seeing progressively tougher restrictions imposed on Bargee Travellers even when these are not lawful. We need to adopt a variety of strategies to ensure that Bargee Travellers are not displaced, forced off the water or made homeless.
The NBTA needs to cover its basic costs such as awareness raising, campaigning, meetings and importantly, its casework assisting boat dwellers who are threatened with the loss of their homes. Please help us to continue our work. We are very grateful to the members and supporters who have donated so far. Please give generously to our appeal!
You can make a donation direct to the NBTA bank account
You can give via PayPal
Please consider taking out a standing order, as regular income helps us to plan better
You can send a cheque by post to NBTA, 30 Silver Street, READING, Berks RG1 2ST.
Here are some examples of what the NBTA spends money on:
Awareness raising:
Local meetings to inform boat dwellers of their rights
Information sheets for boat dwellers regarding their rights
Public Events and info parties with visiting speakers
Responding to relevant national and local consultations
Casework:
Training volunteer caseworkers
Supporting and assisting individual Bargee Travellers facing enforcement action, eviction and other threats to their home
Assisting boat dwellers to defend themselves in eviction or Section 8 court cases
Campaigning:
Demonstrations such as Boats Are Homes and protests at navigation authority offices
Printing newsletters, placards and leaflets
Lobbying:
Meetings with navigation authorities
Meetings with Government departments such as DCLG and DEFRA
Policy formation with political parties
Lobbying MPs and Councillors
Working with navigation and other authorities to gain better facilities for boat dwellers such as more water taps
Research:
Keeping on top of legal developments and policy changes
Researching the complex legislative background to waterway law
Finding out what authorities are doing using Freedom of Information
In the future we would also like to make contributions towards the travel expenses of the volunteers who work tirelessly to attend meetings with policy makers, navigation authorities and local councils.
Thank you!