CanalAbility

CanalAbility Registered Charity - Offering specially adapted canal boat day trips for people with disabilities on the waterways of Essex and Hertfordshire.

🌟 We’re going to the Learning Disabilities Festival – Harlow 2026! 🌟We’re excited to be attending the Learning Disabilit...
16/06/2026

🌟 We’re going to the Learning Disabilities Festival – Harlow 2026! 🌟

We’re excited to be attending the Learning Disabilities Festival in Harlow on Friday 19th June 2026 (11am–3pm) at Harlow Rugby Club 🎉

This fantastic free community event is all about celebrating inclusion, connection and the amazing progress being made in supporting people with learning disabilities across Essex 💙

There will be:
✨ Information and support stalls
🎶 Music, entertainment and activities
🍔 Food and refreshments (or bring a picnic!)
🤝 A welcoming space for families, carers and communities to come together

We can’t wait to be part of such a positive and uplifting day — come and say hello if you’re there and find out more about our accessible canal boat trips!

📍 Harlow Rugby Club, Latton Bush
📅 Friday 19th June 2026
🕚 11am–3pm

Let us know if you’re planning to attend – we’d love to see friendly faces there! 💬

It’s Learning Disability Week 2026 At CanalAbility, we see every week how important it is that people have access to exp...
15/06/2026

It’s Learning Disability Week 2026

At CanalAbility, we see every week how important it is that people have access to experiences that suit them.

Time on the water can be calming, social, confidence-building — sometimes all at once.

It’s less about what someone “can’t do” and more about making sure they can take part in the things they enjoy.

Learning Disability Week is taking place this week and this year's theme is "Do you see me?" – a call to ensure that peo...
15/06/2026

Learning Disability Week is taking place this week and this year's theme is "Do you see me?" – a call to ensure that people with a learning disability are seen, heard, valued and included in every part of society.

These photos are from when the Walden Mencap Society joined us for a trip on the canal in 2024. At CanalAbility, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to get out, try something different and enjoy time with friends, family and their community.

A big thank you to Saffron Walden Mencap for choosing to cruise with us again this year.

If you would like to learn more about Learning Disability Week visit the website:-
https://www.mencap.org.uk/learningdisabilityweek

Two family groups are joining us today for an accessible cruise into the weekend.It’s always nice when the boat is fille...
13/06/2026

Two family groups are joining us today for an accessible cruise into the weekend.

It’s always nice when the boat is filled with people spending time together — catching up properly, having a chat, and enjoying a slower pace for a while as we travel along the canal.

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone on board and sharing a really relaxed day on the water.

Have you ever been out on a canal trip before?

It's Carers Week, and we'd like to say a huge thank you to all the unpaid carers who spend so much of their time looking...
11/06/2026

It's Carers Week, and we'd like to say a huge thank you to all the unpaid carers who spend so much of their time looking after others.

Last year, we welcomed a group from Action For Family Carers aboard for a day on the canal. They described it as "a well-earned break filled with nature, calm waters and good company" and we couldn't have put it better ourselves.

Sometimes a few hours away from everyday responsibilities, chatting with others and enjoying the peace of the water can make all the difference.

Thank you to Action for Family Carers for sharing these lovely photos and for the important work they do supporting carers across Essex.

09/06/2026

We're delighted to share these fantastic photographs from a recent Easter cruise with the West Essex Inclusion Project, run by Epping Forest District Council.

The West Essex Inclusion Project offers short breaks sessions and activities in Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford to children up to 14 with a learning disability, autism and a physical or sensory impairment.

A huge thank you for allowing us to share these wonderful moments. We hope to welcome you all back on board again soon!

Do you know a group that supports people with disabilities, additional needs or long-term health conditions? Tag them below and help us spread the word about accessible adventures on the water.

Our new accessible electric canal boat is continuing to take shape!The latest windows have now been fitted and it's exci...
08/06/2026

Our new accessible electric canal boat is continuing to take shape!

The latest windows have now been fitted and it's exciting to see another part of the build completed.

It's amazing how much difference the windows make to the feel of the boat already, and we can start to imagine the views our passengers will enjoy when she's out on the water.

There's still a lot of work going on behind the scenes, but it's exciting to watch everything come together.

You can read more and see the latest photos here:

https://www.canalability.org.uk/boating-without-boundaries/news/electric-boat-updates/

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project so far – we can't wait to share more progress with you.

We're looking forward to welcoming members of Rainbow Services (Harlow) on board today for what promises to be a busy a...
08/06/2026

We're looking forward to welcoming members of Rainbow Services (Harlow) on board today for what promises to be a busy and enjoyable week on the canal.

Rainbow Services does some amazing work in Harlow and surrounding areas, supporting people and organisations and helping to tackle disadvantage, deprivation and social exclusion through a wide range of community projects.

We hope everyone enjoys some time out on the water, the chance to meet new people, and a relaxing trip along the canal.

Have a great time everyone – we'll see you on board!

07/06/2026

As Volunteers’ Week comes to a close, we wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to our brilliant volunteers.

Some volunteer every week. Some help at events. Some work quietly behind the scenes. Some can turn their hand to almost anything!

Whatever role they play, they help make CanalAbility what it is.

Thank you for giving your time, energy and kindness. We appreciate every single one of you.

An fantastic day with Saffron Walden Mencap Society!
06/06/2026

An fantastic day with Saffron Walden Mencap Society!

Address

Lock View, Burnt Mill Lane
Harlow
CM202QS

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 1:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 1:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 1:30pm
Thursday 9am - 1:30pm
Friday 9am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+441279424444

Website

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