NCT - Is it worth it?

sanfrancisco

Hi guys,

Now approaching half way through pregnancy and am starting to consider money etc.

There are loads of great threads on this board that I have been reading about babies etc etc. I couldn't find any on the NCT (National Childbirth Trust).

I have just looked them up and see that it costs £39 to join!!!

So, is this worth it? What do I get? Can I not go to any second hand sales if I am not a member??? What does anyone think?

Many Thanks
x

jo_b_2

sanfrancisco wrote:

There are loads of great threads on this board that I have been reading about babies etc etc. I couldn't find any on the NCT (National Childbirth Trust).

I have just looked them up and see that it costs £39 to join!!!

So, is this worth it? What do I get? Can I not go to any second hand sales if I am not a member??? What does anyone think?

Many Thanks
x

I think it's been a while since the NCT has been discussed on here.

I was involved with the NCT when my son was a baby and attended NCT ante-natal classes rather than the NHS ones.

You don't actually need to be a member of the NCT to attend the ante-natal classes or any of their activities (coffee mornings/sales etc). The ante-natal course was really good and I am still in touch with some of the other mums from the course. (Our children are four and a half now.)

Obviously, in terms of moneysaving - NHS classes are free whereas there is a fee for the NCT courses, but I preferred the location and the time when the NCT one was run as it meant my partner could also attend.

If you don't want or can't afford the membership, don't let it put you off attending and supporting any of the NCT activities.

AnnieH

I have managed to have 3 healthy babies without forking out 49 quid to be a mamber of NCT.;)
There are NCT nearly new sales twive a year in my area, and they're always packed out, so no need to join to go to them.
I think it's a question of personal choice. If you feel that it's what yoiu would like to do (and can afford it) then go for it, I'm sure you're bound to meet loads of new mums, but then you can do that at the local mum and baby/toddler groups too. Check out your local library for info on these.

shirlgirl2004

You don't have to be a member to join in NCT activities, the point of joining is giving something back so the charity can continue to support other parents to be and new parents. I have to confess I never used their breastfeeding support and have never attended a sale but I am still a member because I believe the work they do is invaluable.

pingua

I think if you are on benefits can you pay a reduced rate - very reduced!!

In our area you do not need to be a member to go to the sales only if you are wanting to sell stuff. The sales are very good.

They have bumps and babes meetings which are good if you know no-one with a baby and like the idea of coffee mornings. Otherwise check out the toddler groups in your area.

Jennie_2

I joined the NCT originally because I didn't know anyone in the area and wanted to get to know people. It was invaluable at even though my children are now 11 and 7 I still see the friends even though we have all gone different ways.

I am now involved with the NCT through my work and have no hesitation in recommending it to new mums and dads. As well as classes you also get a magazine which is full of useful information, meet-ups, places to go, things to do, people to help you.

You can go to the nearly new sales and other NCT events if you are not a member. I recently went to a Christmas event that was open to everyone and it was really nice.

Give them a call and see if what they have to offer fits in with you. For me personally it was money well spent and I am 11 years down the line.

Good luck:wave:

inkie

I think that you need to test the water of your local group - I went to an NCT P &T and found it very cliquey - a lot of 'in' jokes and people even ignoring me and DD - not for me. However, I make money by selling in their NN sales twice per year!

eveyk

hi

I am not a member of the NCT but went to the ante natal classes. I thought they were brilliant, I made some good friends who I still see a lot (my daugther is nearly 2). We paid £70 for the classes but I thought it was worth it. They were over 4 sundays everyone took a dish of something for lunch.
They do tend to attract more 'middle class' people (well they were at ours, not us though lol!)
I also enjoy the NN sales you can pick up some real bargains!

HTH

serena

My NCT baby is now 16! The support I had was fantastic, and I not only became a member, but joined the local committee, and then did 7 years at regional level as well.

The National Childbirth Trust is a membership charity. You do not have to be a member to join in, or to go to the sales. But if you like what we do, and would like other parents to benefit, then please do join. There are reduced rates (it was a £1 if you were on income support, but I am not up to date.)The initial rate is a joining fee, and the renewal rate is lower. you can also opt to pay quarterly by DD.

There are branches all over the UK, and what they offer does vary from branch to branch. I was perhaps very lucky that my local branch was not over large, very friendly and very active.

Give it a try! I still have NCT friends, and will always be a member, not only in gratitude for the support I had, but because I want the charity to still be around for my children when they become parents.

wendyl1967

I love the NCT. I originally joined 12 years ago when DS was born.

You don't have to be a member to go the the sales but if there weren't any members the NCT would no longer exist so the sales would not longer exist!

I loved the coffee groups held in members homes. I found them to be friendly and welcoming for someone with a new born baby (much better than a church hall more suited to rowdy toddlers!). I am still friends with many that I met from the group. Obviously some groups are clicky.

I think the membership is worth every penny to keep the NCT going.

Pink_butterfly_3

I would recommend https://www.netmums.com

Its a great website and it is specific to your local area. It has a 'meet a mum' board, where you and other mums from your area can post and you can reply to them via the site and chat or meet. I met one of my best 'mum' friends through this website.

They also have aload of 'whats on' type information and lists of mother & baby groups and music, massage etc. etc. classes in your area.

Best of all, its free!