NCT membership

Woby_Tide

Sort of moneysaving, i.e. do we save £100 by not joining the local NCT! Anyone any experience of these groups either good or bad? It seems our local group is relatively new (as it doesn't appear on their website yet, we got details from friends of friends) so not sure whether it would be worth it unless there were more people, plus we've only 3 months to go until the event so have we missed the boat for gaining benefit?

What sort of benefits/pros does being a member provide and any negative points anyone has experienced.

Thanks in advance

Counting_Pennies_2

I would definitely say they were good value for money. I think you will find that if you just become a member and don't take a class the membership is about £30. It is the cost of the class that takes it over £100. Although if you get a chance to do the class it is excellent value. I think they also offer postnatal classes if you haven't had a chance to do the prenatal one.

If you are unable to make use of their classes, they are a great support locally anyway.

They have a local contact who can put you in touch with other mums through their bumps and babies groups. The local contact is also available for giving advice, the type that you don't want to call your health visitor for and appear silly.

The newsletter is also excellent providing details of local activities that the council run centres don't give you information about.

The NCT also do campaigns for baby and child health, so when you read the newsletter you are given the opportunity to join in on these campaigns.

It seems to me that the membership fee goes towards the cost of the newsletter and these campaigns, and included is the free service of the volunteers who are the neighbourhood contacts, breastfeeding counsellers (who were excellent for me) and post natal support lines for twins, depression, the list goes on...

Also another great part of membership is early access to the NCT nearly new sales. They normally let members in 15 minutes before the crowds pile in, giving you ample time to get the best of the bargains in relative peace.

It sounds like I am on commission for the NCT, but I am just someone who has benefitted from their services, and feel that for a relatively small membership fee it helps keep this additional service going, which I think I would be lost without.

Hope it helps, and good luck with the baby.

16011996

sorry for my ignorance, what is the NCT?

Counting_Pennies_2

sorry for my ignorance, what is the NCT?

It is the National Childbirth Trust
I have attached some web links if it helps

http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/newsfullitem.asp?id=140 (nearly new sales)

16011996

THANKS, LOOKS A GOOD SITE, BUT MINE ARE TOO OLD FOR IT.

Counting_Pennies_2

It depends how old your kiddies are, the NCT seems to go on for quite some time in terms of kids ages.

Even if you aren't into the membership I would strongly recommend looking out for dates of their fun days, fates and teddy bear picnics etc as they can be great fun for any age.

16011996

will have another look then, thanks.

jo_b_2

As this is a moneysaving site, I'm going to point out that you don't actually have to be a member of the NCT to join in with their coffee mornings/ activity days etc. Most of these sort of things cost about a pound per person and this goes to NCT funds.

You also don't need to join to go to NCT antenatal classes. The fee charged for this is different from the actual annual membership.

I went to NCT antenatal classes and would recommend them to anyone who can afford them. When I went in summer 2002, they cost £75 for about six sessions. I found them really useful and have stayed in touch with the other mums, which has been really nice.

I also went along to weekly coffee mornings when I was on maternity leave and found these invaluable in getting tips and advice from other mums.

I never actually joined though!

Counting_Pennies_2

As this is a moneysaving site, I'm going to point out that you don't actually have to be a member of the NCT to join in with their coffee mornings/ activity days etc.  Most of these sort of things cost about a pound per person and this goes to NCT funds.

You also don't need to join to go to NCT antenatal classes.  The fee charged for this is different from the actual annual membership.

I went to NCT antenatal classes and would recommend them to anyone who can afford them.  When I went in summer 2002, they cost £75 for about six sessions.  I found them really useful and have stayed in touch with the other mums, which has been really nice.

I also went along to weekly coffee mornings when I was on maternity leave and found these invaluable in getting tips and advice from other mums.

I never actually joined though!

Yes as a money saving way it is possible not to pay the membership, but this is a charity, and if everyone didn't pay the membership it wouldn't be possible to run the voluntary service they offer.

Having used their services, breastfeeding support through the weekends and evenings, the newsletters and the support the local contact has given me, I definitely feel I have got £30 worth from them and more, and feel I have benefitted a charity as well.

I know for a fact that my local branch are struggling with funds in order to get the newsletter out every few months, and I feel better knowing I have contributed to help in this way.

I guess it comes down to working out if you want to get something out sometimes you have to put something in, this isn't a large corporate organisation but a charity offering a good service for mums when they are at their most vulnerable.

jo_b_2

Sorry, I certainly didn't mean to offend or suggest that people don't join the NCT if they wish to and can afford to.

My point was, as I said, this is a moneysaving site.  People don't need to miss out on the excellent services provided by the NCT if they don't feel that they can afford to pay the membership costs.

I was under the impression that membership costs more than £30 per year but, like I said, I have never joined.  I have, however, taken part in a number of fund-raising activities for my local branch and offered my support in other ways.

Personally, money was very tight when I was on maternity leave as I took maximum leave, including three months unpaid leave.  I chose not to pay the membership fees, as money was needed elsewhere, and was very glad that I was still able to benefit from NCT services.  I am sure that other people in similar circumstance would feel the same.

I certainly did not mean to imply that we should be trying to rip off charities! :-/

jo_b_2

I have just checked on the website and membership costs £36 for the first year.