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Original poster

The NCT are having a laugh aren't they???!!!!

176 replies

lubella · 27/09/2006 19:17

I just applied for Ante Natal classes and the literature came thorough at £180 for a 2 day intensive course.

Before I sign up to these can someone out there honestly justify to me that they are worth it; I'm sure it said £100 on the leaflet I recieved as a member and I just feel like WTF??(&&&&!!?

OP posts:
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aitch71 · 28/09/2006 22:10
Grin
KiwiKat · 28/09/2006 22:55

While I agree that the classes are expensive, the invaluable thing for me has been the introduction to a network of helpful mums, both with children the same age as mine, and older kids as well. We don't have a car, we're renting, I'm a hideously old first time mum of 40 - which is terrifying in itself - and I couldn't bake to save my life.

Having a baby when your family is on the other side of the world can be a very lonely thing, and the support I've received has made all the difference. Interesting that there are so many of us from overseas who attend these coffee mornings - this week included mums from Greece, France, America, New Zealand and Germany.

Another hugely useful thing is the newsletter, which provides information about local activities, agencies and resources etc. If it weren't for the NCT, I'd be back hanging around at the doctor's surgery, stalking new friends. (Don't knock it, though - I made two, and they're lovely.)

(NQC, I will definitely be at the booze thing on Monday thing. Am very excited!)

MissHooliesGreenMac · 28/09/2006 23:28

Lubella, if you don't want to ring NCT head office to complain, you could still email/ring your branch's Chair to let her know what's going on. It isn't NCT policy and the branch should make sure they don't do this again.

I'm an NCT bookings co-ordinator and I've had people pay nothing, or pay in instalments over several months, or pay a reduced figure (suggested by them). It's not a problem. Maybe the woman you spoke to thinks everyone will start asking for a free place if she isn't strict, but that just isn't the case.

Original poster
lubella · 29/09/2006 10:28

MissHoolies I would actually like to complain about the way this bookings woman spoke to me,as I think it was appalling and that the information in their newsletter was actually incorrect, but I have briefly met with the chair and I know what a tight network there is and what I am trying to do is make friends so I don't want to cause problems at this stage, especially if it dosen't even save me any money.

The whole thing has left an unbelievably bad taste in my mouth TBH I only hope the classes are worth it....so many people on here have told me they are great
x

OP posts:
MissHooliesGreenMac · 29/09/2006 12:16

I know what you mean Lubella, but the branch should welcome constructive comments - it's always good to have feedback about how the branch's work comes across to parents-to-be.

And you could put it in terms of 'I was told this and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable' rather than 'I'm making a complaint'.

The Chair should be 'big' enough to take constructive comments without it prejudicing your dealings with the branch, and she should be happy to keep it confidential if you ask for that, so that no-one knows it was you making the complaint.

NotQuiteCockney · 29/09/2006 12:23

You might be able to complain to head office anonymously? You could get someone else (even another MN person) to call the branch separately, with the same question, and see what response they get?

I totally understand about not wanting to get into a fight with your branch about this while you're trying to make friends.

I almost never get calls from people asking for reduced prices, so am always happy to deal with it.

Original poster
lubella · 29/09/2006 12:37

Having heard your comments I am going to get my point accross so they can take it on board for future applications - I think I will email the chair to politely point out the indescrepancy as well as writing a letter to the co-ordinator when I send in my forms.

The feeling I have got now going into this course is very very negative and I am going to tell them so. At this stage I would not recommend joining the NCT to anyone, and this is sad when I was so positive at the start, and I think they should be aware of how they have made me feel.

OP posts:
aitch71 · 29/09/2006 14:03

good for you, it's the right thing to do. but i'm sure you'll have a great time. it's only a weekend with the organisation, but the friendships you might make will hopefully last a lifetime.

TheRealCam · 29/09/2006 14:44

Do you want a Murray mint, Granny?

FrannyandZooey · 29/09/2006 18:03

good one Cam

ingym23 · 29/09/2006 19:34

I did the NCT antenatal classes two and a half years ago, and for the two day course it cost £110. For it to now cost £180 seems pretty expensive!

I actually only got to do one of the days because during the second day I was actually putting the theory into practice!

There were five other couples doing the course, and we kept in contact for a few months, but then everyone either moved or went back to work so I never see them now.

I met my "baby friends" through the NCT coffee mornings. You don't have to be a member to attend them....

So in hindsight I would save the £180, not pay the NCT membership fee (I personally have a few issues with their stance in several areas), and just meet up with other new mums at the coffee mornings.

All the best,

Ingrid

SecondhandRose · 29/09/2006 19:46

I have been an NCT volunteer for 11 yrs. I did not do the NCT classes and I did not breastfeed.

I didn't find out about the NCT until DS was 6 months old but didn't do any of it with DD either 4 yrs later.

The NCT is run basically by volunteers, apart from the teachers and everyone at Acton, we are all volunteers. There are 1000's of people up and down the country helping with the charity for a few hours a week. I run their House Swap Register for them.

Yes, £180 is a lot and I would ask why it is so much. Is it because there are only one or two couples so the costs are shared between you. Are they offering any other courses you can do?

Don't forget you can always do the free doctor's courses and still join the NCT afterwards to meet people. It's a great way to meet normal parents and friends for life (or for 11 yrs so far is my experience).

aitch71 · 29/09/2006 19:46

yes, but ingrid, isn't that a little unfair on a charitable organisation..? i really do think that if you are going to the coffee mornings (and can afford it) you should make some contribution to the coffers.
and yes, thankyou very much Cam, i would love a murray mint.
(...no-one looks attractive with a smirk on their face, Miss F&Z. just ask that munter The Mona Lisa)

millysimmons · 29/09/2006 20:19

We looked into doing the NCT classes here but they are about £150 which was a bit steep. However the NHS classes where £35 & we didnt attend them all but the most useful ones where the NCT teachers on active birth & one on breastfeeding. I had hoped to meet some mum I would gel with at the NHS classes but didnt & thinkn it may have been better to do the NCT classes as I agreed with some of their opinions more.
One of my friends did the NCT classes 18 months ago, didnt use any of what she was taught as went straight in class & didnt breastfeed but still spends a few days a week doing things with the girls she met in the classes.
Think it all depends on what you want out of the classes. I know we have areas of Hampshire where the NCT classes are the nly antenatal classes avaliable.

FrannyandZooey · 29/09/2006 21:24
Highlander · 30/09/2006 15:24

I was very tempted to pay for the classes then demand to see a video of full-on fanjo tearing, instead of the whale-song birth they seem convinced that everyone is oging to have

ingym23 · 30/09/2006 17:26

Aitch71,

the local branch's magazine does talk about a tin going round at each coffee morning that each mum is supposed to put 50 pence in to contribute to the local branch, but I have never seen one, and my little boy is almost 2.5. Oh and they say themselves that you don't have to be a member to join in on the coffee mornings, or to subscribe to the yahoo group....

Not that I go anymore, my local branch seems to think that once a baby turns one they become a foreign species and lots of us with babies over 1 have been made to feel pretty unwelcome...

Like I said before, I have a lot of issues with the NCT....

Ingrid

aitch71 · 30/09/2006 20:29

god, ingrid, what a grasping lot your NCT branch are, no wonder you've got issues with them. all we are required to do is bring a cake or six, i'm glad to say. which of course is one of the reasons i don't mind paying a membership fee...
it really does seem like the branches are all opeating their own little kingdoms, doesn't it?

SecondhandRose · 01/10/2006 09:35

Branches all definitely do their own 'thing' their is no 'script' they have to keep to and each branch is only as good as it's volunteers. So some people have a fantastic experience and others not so.

Why not volunteer to help out and make some changes?

ingym23 · 01/10/2006 11:07

Hi,

Well, I was a member for two years, and I was the coffee morning coordinator for a while. Then I went back to work so figured I would pass the mantle on to somebody else.

My membership is up for renewal. I acknowledge the organisation has done alot of good for a lot of people (well so their publicity says, like partners being able to attend births), so maybe my membership now will help people further down the line....

I'm in two minds about it all!

Ingrid

aitch71 · 01/10/2006 11:56

actually, you might be interested to watch a repeat of an old 40 Minutes programme on bbc4 on the 12th oct, called Birth Reborn. it's all about Dr Michel Odent, the natural birth chap, and features French women having natural deliveries. Apparently in 1982 it was absolutely groundbreaking stuff, which is certainly what the documentary suggests. i watched it the other night (on dvd) and it made me think very fondly indeed about the NCT...

TheRealCam · 01/10/2006 12:19

I wonder why the NCT changed its name from the Natural Childbirth Trust to the National Childbirth Trust

aitch71 · 01/10/2006 12:33

perhaps because they felt that it was a national issue that affects all mothers, not just those interested in natural birth, iykwim?

TheRealCam · 01/10/2006 12:41

I'm sure you're right, probably to give it wider appeal

mummydear · 01/10/2006 13:39

The National Childbirth Trust has never been known as The Natural Childbirth Trust.

the NCT has been going for 50 yrs and even though we may not agree with them , they are the ones that psuhed for partners/dads to be in the delivery suite with you holding your hand .