Joining the NCT?

[SlouchingPanda]

I'm 15 weeks with my first and just sorting antenatal classes. This might be a silly question, but do I have to actually join the NCT to do their classes? Or can I do them as a non member?

At over 200 squid for the classes, do I really want to pay another 40 for the newsletter and early entry to NCT sales? Or am I missing something?

Any advice gratefully received!

[Kelerina]

I'm doing the classes without becoming a member

[Doraemon]

Membershi[p is (in my opinion) a bit of a misnomer - essentially the membership is a donation to support the charity, and in return you get perks like getting in early to sales (although you could just volunteer and get in early) etc. You don't have to join, but without membership the charity as a whole would lose a major source of funding.

[Littlemissexpecting]

No you don't have to. I don't really know what you get for the £40 apart from first access to nearly new sales.
I did anyway as its a charity and DH was paying

[Tincletoes]

For ours you got a £40 discount if you were a member (ie it made no difference!)

[SlouchingPanda]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful and speedy replies!

[Msbluesky32]

I did the same, paid for the course but not the membership. We had to pay just before Christmas and money was pretty tight.