www.ForcesVetsAfloat.co.uk -

Forces Veterans Afloat

Getting British Forces Veterans
off the streets and in to floating homes

IMPORTANT; much as we'd like to have a boat for every veteran who would like to live on one, we just can't do that. In order to be considered for one of our boats, a person needs to be a veteran, homeless - that is not living a fixed abode for which they pay a rent, or in imminent danger of becoming homeless, and under the care of a recognised service charity. That charity must recommend the veteran to us and undertake to continue their care and support while they are living on one of our boats.

So how did we come about?

In July 2021, a member of the abandoned boats group on Facebook, Andy Flint, came up with an idea. And the idea struck a chord in the community on the cut and rivers.

Andy put a post on Facebook, proposing river and canal users, boat owners and businesses use our combined knowledge and skills to restore a boat and give it to a homeless ex service person.

The response in the other groups was phenomenal, and in just days, through others willing and generosity, we had a locked secured yard to work on the boat and a company willing to transport the boat to and from any part of the country for free.

In less than a week we had been donated out 1st narrowboat. By April 2024, we had 7.

. The Royal British Legion have offered to support our boats and the veterans on them. Most of the veterans currently on our boats come to us through the RBL.

We rely on people power to get boats restored and would love all the help we could get.

If you would like to get involved but won't be able to be "hands on" - if you are able, a donation towards any licensing, insurance and so on, for boats we restore, would be much appreciated. You'll find a link to donate at the foot of the Home page and on the bar at the top.

Do get in touch if you can help - either on the email link above, via our Facebook page messenger, or by What'sApp.

If you have a boat you might like to donate, please contact Andy via forcesvetsafloat@gmail.com

The Mayor of Erewash's Free Game DayRead More

Date: 10/11/2024 04:00 PM
Location: Awsworth Road, Ilkeston DE7 8JF, UK (Map)
More Info: New Manor Ground

Welcome to NB Stingray

Meet a very unusual boat, recently gifted to us - a rare Sea Otter

NB Sammyb

Take a tour round NB Sammyb

NB Atalanta

Introducing NB Atalanta

NB Clover

NB Clover - our latest addition to the FVA fleet.

NB Capricorn

NB Capricorn, under tow by Pete and NB Kinver

NB Daisy

Our Flagship - NB Daisy

Canute

Meet "Canute"

16/06/2020 12:00 AM

Now's your chance to do something really simple - to help restore our 103 year old flagship, NB Daisy. Get on-board the Doing Up Daisy Appeal

16/06/2020 12:00 AM

Restoration of our flagship NB Daisy

The Kindness of Strangers - part 2

How could we top the amazing weekend we had 7 days ago? Well, we have - so what happens next?

Our wonderful supporters - we salute you!

How 24 hours has secured a sound future for our tattiest boat - thanks to "The Kindness of Strangers"

It ain't 'alf cold, mum. (Shut up, Greta - people are freezing)

No fire without smoke - a modern dilemma or a matter of live and death?

Take a bow, chaps - it's International Men's Day

We raise a glass to the men behind Forces Veteran Afloat - prepare to blush, boys!

We will remember them - but who are they?

The blog returns after a summer break - and what else could the subject be on the 11th of the 11th, of the 11th, other than Remembrance? But who are the hidden casualties who have started to be recognised?

Do you have the power?

NB Daisy is nearly at the stager where we can get her in the water and back to HQ - we need one, vital thing...

Daisy, Daisy - we are so fond of you..

FVA founder Andy, shares his story of how much our flagship, NB Daisy means to him.

Stand by, stand by!

It's a huge leap for us!

We've all been in uniform - realise it or not.

If something isn't "uniform" - it can upset things - but when it is, something meaningful can happen.

Two big events - two little words

This week saw two significant events marked in very different ways. Does that matter?

"Do some Charity work," they said..."You'll enjoy it," they said...

I always thought I might, one day, do a bit of volunteering for charity - I never expected it to take over my life!

How a friend with rope to throw you can save you

Stuck on a boat with no forward gear on the River Severn isn't fun, but thankfully, catastrophe was averted.

Need some new mooring lines this year? Buy them through us and contribute to the FVA's much-needed funds. They're 10 metres long.

They cost £30 each plus P & P - £10 goes to FVA

To buy - contact Pete on WhatsApp 07496 447656

Vigitech Solutions

For GPS trackers

We will now be able to see where our boats are all the time, thanks to the generous donation of 4 GPS trackers and service subscriptions to run them. They have been donated by www.vigitech.uk They have a variety of trackers suitable for boats - please give them your custom if you're in the market for one. The trackers mean that if we have a veteran in need of help on a boat, we will know exactly where it is. Thanks, Vigitech Solutions, for giving us that peace of mind.

Ares, for his DIY donation

Supporter, Ares, from Northern Ireland wanted help do up one of our boats. As we don't have one in Northern Ireland, he's sent us a whole load of DIY goodies. Thanks, Ares!

Joy for her out-board motor

Thanks a million, to the very generous, Joy. She's donated us a brand new, 15bhp, Tohatsu outboard motor. This is going to be a huge help.

Glyn & Barbara - for their huge donation!

The donators of our 4th boat - Daisy

Ballinger Towage & Steerage Services

How to donate

We didn't really intend to ask for donations at 1st - but then it was pointed out to us that there were a lot of folk who'd like to help but couldn't do so in person. So we have set up a Go Fund Me page. See inside for more details

We were fortunate enough to be visited by narrowboat Vlogger and all-round lovely person, Heidi Manning, The Narrowboat Pirate. She was with us at a Working Party weekend and produced an amazing Vlogg all about who we are and what we do, which she featured on her YouTube Channel. Check it out - https://youtu.be/mqH5f53vdzs?feature=shared
The Narrowboat Pirate
The Narrowboat Pirate

We have had a 2nd feature in Towpath Talk...https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=d192940e-f732-42bc-a9d9-6fbce501da9a
Towpath Talk
Towpath Talk

How did Forces Vets Afloat start?

Founder, Andy is a boat owner and member of a group which is interested in the many abandoned boats on our canals and rivers.

He proposed in the group, that it might be possible to get hold of an abandoned boat, refurbish it, and pass it on to someone who was homeless.

People loved the idea and the overall consensus was that the boat should go to a former member of the British Armed Forces, who was without a home.

The day after is initial post on canal-themed Facebook pages, offers of help came flooding in, and it was decided that a Facebook page was needed to keep track of things. Lizzie Lane then came on board, as admin, to build the FB page and now the website.

How do we choose the veterans who live on our boats?

Much as we'd love to have boats for every veteran who wanted to live on one, we know that's just not possible.
To be considered for one of our boats there are two vital criteria veterans must meet.
The 1st sounds like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised how many people don't get it - a veteran must be homeless and that means not living in rented accommodation, in a property which they are paying the mortgage for, or in which a partner pays the rent or mortgage.
The 2nd is that they must be referred to us by a charity which is assisting them and which will continue to assist them once they are on board our boat.

Where do the boats come from?

The original idea was to give new life to boats which have been abandoned and who's owners can't be traced. This would bring back in to use, boats which would just eventually sink, stop them becoming eyes sores and blocking mooring spaces.

This rapidly spread to being offered the pick of boats which had been taken to be scrapped - which will give us scope for different sizes and styles of craft.

Our 1st boat - a narrowboat - was extremely generously donated, by the family of a gentleman who had died. What a memorial - what a wonderful gesture.

Who can get involved in restoration?

The simple answer is - anyone.

If you want to help - we will find you something to do.
It could be as simple as helping wash a boat down or doing some sanding, to skilled jobs like plumbing, painting, gas and engine servicing, laying floors, running up curtains and furnishings, the list could go on for miles.
If you have a skill - we can use it.
If you have a willing pair of hands and some time - we can use you.

If you want to get involved, drop us a message using the contact page on this site, message on the Forces Vets Afloat Facebook page, or use What'sApp, the number is on our header on the home page.

I don't have a skill or time to help, how can I get involved?

We realised very soon after we started the project, that travelling to where the boats are and getting stuck in would be impossible for some people.

To this end we have set up a Go Fund Me page - where you can make donations if you would like to.

You can find it here:

https://www.gofundme.com/sign-up?alertKey=team_invitation&acceptTeamInviteFundUrl=the-forces-vets-afloat-project&teamInvite=CzqD2tvCQmeqz5JlAE1aza0gLJOy8YOSX7Vx19P57f75hJNkVwrlzdDU96boo0WN&utm_medium=magic_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bteam-invite&fbclid=IwAR0gmv0n6QgAp0fYsScgI3sMPMDeZvuHf16l-PHRP24kuKmLy_9Neg_AbfI

Forces Veterans AfloatGetting British Forces Veteransoff the streets and in to floating homes

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