Who are we?

The Laburnum Boat Club is a community-based boating project by the Regents Canal in South Hackney.

We are a voluntary organisation managed by local people. We aim to provide opportunities for the personal development of local children, young people and their families through participation in a range of water-based activities.

Access and Inclusion at Laburnum

Inclusion is very important to the boat club. We work to make our activities and services available to all children and young people and their families.

Laburnum runs sessions suitable for everyone, regardless of ability. Our experienced and dedicated support staff are available to make sure disabled children and those with additional support needs can join one of our clubs and enjoy the activities on offer.

Laburnum has lift or ramp access throughout. We have accessible toilets, showers, changing rooms and canal side hoist.

Steps, railings, door frames etc are all painted in contrasting colours to aid people with limited vision.

Kayaking is a very inclusive sport and people are often surprised by how accessible it is. We have a wide range of single and two person kayaks suitable for people of all shapes, sizes, ability and confidence levels. These can also be fitted with specialist adaptive equipment such as supportive seats, paddle grips, neck support etc, making the whole experience more meaningful and comfortable for people with limited mobility.

Laburnum offers full and half day narrowboat trips led by a friendly, qualified and experienced skipper. These are ideal for schools, community and family groups. Lady Mildmay is our wheelchair accessible narrowboat. It has ramp access and a lift and takes up to 12 people. For more information or to make a booking please contact the club.

What activities do we offer

Youth Club

Family Club

Inclusion Project 

Youth Watersports Training Project

Adult Club

Youth Club

Youth Club is the heart and soul of activities we offer. It provides social education through outdoor activities, gives local young people a place to go out and be with each other, be listened to and provides affordable accessible regular exercise.

Youth Club is open to ALL young people between the ages of 9 and 18 (up until their 19th Birthday). The Club is staffed by highly qualified Youth Workers, Coaches and Support Staff to facilitate social and personal development.

Youth Club's main activity is kayaking on the Regents Canal. The club also has an on site climbing wall, football, crafts, table tennis and other activities. Young people who attend are able to interact and develop friendships.

We also offer off-site trips including rock-climbing, trips to the Olympic Park, ice-skating, swimming, cycling and white water kayaking.

We offer occasional residential trips to support development of independence and life skills.

Call the club to find out more.

Family Club

The Family Club offers canoeing, kayaking and narrowboating to local families every Sunday morning throughout the year. Activities are designed so that families can learn together and spend quality time together.

Family Club was developed to provide a more holistic approach to our youth work and because of the lack of accessible and affordable family activities in the local area. It is now a well established and much loved service. Last year more than 80 families attended Laburnum’s Family Club.

Family Club is 10.30am – 12.30pm every Sunday during school term-time where local families can take a narrowboat trip or go canoeing. 

Family Club Costs £5 per person for a 3 hour boat trip. You can book up to five spaces at any one time.

Please call or email us a few days before to book your spaces. We will need your name, phone number, how many people are coming and for which activity.

Inclusion Project

The Inclusive Youth Club offers young people with additional needs an informal and friendly setting to continue their journey towards an independent life. While the club offers a relaxed social environment for young people to meet and spend time together, it also focuses on input from members through encouraging them to work with budgets and introducing independent travel. Inclusive Youth Club is open to ALL young people between the ages of 9 and 19.

Our inclusion officer and their team of support workers provide extra help for those that need it at regular Youth Club sessions as well as 2 after-school Sports Clubs for young people with disabilities.

• After-schools Sports Club on Mondays for 14-19 year olds
• After-schools Sports Club on Thursday’s for 9-13 year olds

Previous activities include Sunday Roast Pub Visits, Thorpe Park trips, a Buckingham Palace visit, canoeing, Narrow Boat trips and residential trips away.

Current Sport Club members have a range of disabilities and abilities including; autism, cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome, and learning disabilities.

Different sports are available to try each week. These have included; kayaking, rock-climbing, swimming, bowling, archery, sailing and cycling. The clubs activities:

• Increase mobility and physical ability through regular exercise
• Improve social communication, teamwork skills and social circles
• Provide well-deserved respite breaks from caring for parents and carers

The club collects young people from home or school, and provides a lite snack before 2 hours of activities.

There is a simple referral process.

Call the club to find out more.

You can use Short Breaks to access the club.

Youth Watersports Training Project

Do you want to be a Waterspors Instructor?
Laburnum’s Youth Water Sports Training Project offers FREE Coaching Courses in:

• First Aid
• Trips
• Coaching
• Canoeing
• Kayaking

You can also access work experience and get help with your CV.

All courses are part-time and you do not need previous experience.
To take part in the Youth Watersports Training Project Youth Club membership is required.

Call the club and speak with Beth to find out more. 

Adult Club

Wednesday 7-9pm or 7:30-9:30pm
Laburnum offers an Adult Club for those ages 18 and over.
Beginners are welcome. Please call or email to book.