To wonder if the NCT does anything to support or target lower socio-economic families?

[toptramp]

Or if their groups are aimed mostly at the middle class?

I would love to see them opening some sort of drop in groups for teenage mums etc.

www.nct.org.uk/courses/course-prices/reduced-price-options

Blimey, our local bumps and babies is free! (donation for coffee, but most people don't donate.)

Ask not what the NCT can do for you... Ask what you can do for NCT.

At a local level things only happen because someone's got off their arse and made it happen. If it's not happening where you are it's because you're not doing it.

The NCT is very much whatever local individuals make of it. When I met up with a friend who was in the NCT and mentioned how useful it would be to have a group for mums from other cultures she said "well, why don't you start one?" So I did. I had had no previous involvement with the NCT but it was easy enough to put a few adverts up in the local shops and clinics, and then it spread by word of mouth.

My sil got on her course for less than half the price when she applied for financial assistance to attend one of the courses. So they do help people who can't afford but still want to be involved.

Hmm. When I joined, 15 years ago, I was a 35 year old professional woman, but my non-married, non-driving and social-housing flat-dwelling status made things v. awkward after the crawling stage.

You DO have to fit in to a certain demographic IMHO, although I made some very lovely friends who helped me through the hellish early few months.

Totally what Cory says. Nothing at all to stop you setting up your own coven branch targeted at a specific group of mums - that would be brilliant! There is nothing at all wrong with the NCT ethos, just the practicalities of involving young mums. Go for it!

There are groups for teenage parents, but the take up can be poor.

Most Childrens Centers run various targeted groups and the development workers, work closely with MW's and HV's to try to get 'hard to reach' families into the centres.

Tbh they are much better in 'disadvantaged' areas as funds are targeted to them. It also depends what other teams are co-located in the building, as one set of funding runs into another. So there can often be parenting classes that are firstly for families on 'plans' but anyone is allowed to attend.

The nearly new sales round here are raided by a cracking mix of socio-economic groups. So word must get out to people who aren't very well off.

I know what you mean - my NCT antenatal group is full of white, middle class, professional couples. DH and I do just about fit into that category (although not the wealthy variety - teacher and social worker!) but we would have liked a bit more of a mix.

I shouldn't complain really - I mean, they are lovely people and hopefully in time will become friends. But we don't live in an affluent area, so the group is definitely not representative of locals.

Our local NCT also collect for and give out Baby Bundles - basically starter packs to give to new mums who can't afford to buy all the basic baby stuff.

My local NCT branch ran a parent and toddler group on a local estate where many of the families were living in deprivation. Also the nearly new sales are an excellent way of meeting needs of those on low incomes

I volunteer for our group dealing with general enquiries, I'd say we get a slight mix despite being in a heavily middle class area.