THE PIRATE CASTLE
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Mission Statement
The Pirate Castle is an inclusive boating charity on the Regent's Canal in the heart of Camden Town, London. We promote life chances, learning and healthy living through a raft of canal boating, paddlesport and outdoor education initiatives and have been flying the flag for opportunity and adventure since 1966. With a focus on disadvantaged local children, special needs/disability groups of all ages and people facing wider hardship, our projects and volunteer programs give everyone equal chance to discover London’s waterways and take part in activities that help them feel better about themselves, gain skills and make new friends – regardless of their personal circumstances.
About This Cause
Our charity was established in 1966 after youngsters from local housing estates repeatedly asked to use the rowing boats at the end of our founder’s canal-side garden. Recognising their need for fun and adventure away from the streets, he set up the ‘Pirate Club’ to provide free rowing lessons and safe, supervised access to the canal. Today, The Pirate Castle has evolved into a distinctive gateway to the waterways for all to enjoy. Canoeing, kayaking and canal boating are core to our work and we strive to tackle disadvantage, challenge exclusion and support the more vulnerable members of our community through all that we do. With a focus on disadvantaged local children, special needs and disability (SEND) groups of all ages and people facing wider hardship, our services nurture health and wellbeing and bring people together through active participation. As a founding member and training centre for the National Community Boats Association (NCBA) we were at the forefront of developing nationally recognised licensing and accreditation frameworks for community boating operations across the U.K. We are also club affiliates of British Canoeing (BCU, UK’s paddlesport governing body) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Together with our staff, British Canoeing-accredited instructors and amazing team of volunteer boat skippers and crew (whom we train in-house), we offer training and skills development in paddlesport, canal boat handling and community boat management - along with more recreational, social and therapeutic community activities from our unique canal-side setting. Core services include: Camden Community Cruises: part and fully-funded interactive canal boat cruises for local SEND groups, families in hardship and people facing wider disadvantage to experience the benefits of boating and central London’s waterways; Training and accreditation: nationally recognised canal boat handling/management courses and British Canoeing personal/performance awards for core beneficiaries, volunteers and the wider community; ‘Pirate Club’: affordable after school and weekend youth kayaking sessions during term-time, providing healthy recreation and sporting development opportunities for 8-16 year olds, including those with low-moderate disabilities and/or additional support needs (up to age 25); Inclusive school holiday schemes: heavily subsidised water and land-based activities programs offering healthy fun, adventure and personal development opportunities for 8-16s of all abilities (up to 25 years for young SEND adults), daily throughout the school holidays (spring to autumn); Specialist inclusion and partnership projects: adventurous outdoor recreation and training for SEND groups, schools, specialist support organisations and community groups across our full activities range; Community Centre: fully accessible, affordable community space for clubs, activities, projects and events. With a long history as a provider of unique community services in our Borough, we have forged a trusted reputation for running effective, affordable and accessible Outdoor Education and canal boating initiatives that help our beneficiaries develop new skills, improve health and self-confidence and bring people together in a safe, interesting and enriching environment.