Is it worth joining the NCT - no classes near me!

[Caz10]

Just wondering if their fee is worth it if I can't use their classes - nearest one is over an hour away! I had wanted to go to their nearly new sales then realised you have to be a member.
Any thoughts? Thanks!

you don't have to be a member to go to the sales, not round here. members get in earlier but anyone can go. but i would definitely recommend the classes if you can find one anywhere nearer. also, as a charity they do lots of good work so you know your fee is going to help.

I did not do the proper NCT classes and did not join for dd, but I have since joined (when she was about 2 I think) and wish I had joined because we have a local newsletter in this area which has lots of local baby/toddler info in that I wished I had known about when dd was tiny.
You may also be interested in the coffee mornings & local groups as a way to meet local mothers (or maybe you're not?).

I would definitely be interested in the coffee mornings etc, only concern is that I will be back to work ft fairly soon (skint!) so won't be able to keep them up. But even for maternity leave it would be nice. The info on the website for sales near to us say you have to bring your membership card.

It's definitely worth doing the postnatal coffee mornings - it's the easiest way to meet women who are local to you with babies of very similar ages. It can be a real lifeline in the early days. Some of the others will probably go back to work, others not. Find out who organises the postnatal coffee mornings and ask how they work it - do they tend to have one closer to you etc. If they don't you could always offer to host!

Some NCT nearly new sales require membership -some don't.

It's impossible to get on the NCT classes where I live and I really only wanted to go to meet other mums-to-be so I joined my local netmums (google it) which has a 'meet a mum' section you can post on.It also tells you about local antenatal classes, coffee mornings etc. I have met loads of new people all expecting the same time as me and it has been so beneficial....if you aren't going to be able to make NCT classes this could be an option to try?

My NHS antenatal classes were just as good as the NCT ones we did and I met some really good friends through them who all live nearby. So dont worry if you can't do the NCT, find out about NHS ones instead

I think it's worth going to the classes, you might make a new friend who lives near you. Worth being a member too because if you offer to help set up at a sale you get first dibs on everything! And it's great fun too.

You don't have to be an NCT member to go to the bumps and babes coffee morning groups-the nearly new sale early entry thing is an advantage for members (if your area does it this way)
Personally I made 2 fantastic friends who got me through the first year through my NCT classes (they weren't running the coffee morning groups then)

Some NCT branches also have working mums groups which might interest you. I know lots of the NNS open early to members & sme say they make their membership back in savings by getting early & nabbing all the nest bits!! Is there a waiting list for your classes as sometimes places do come up. I too couldnt get on any of he classes but part of our local NHS classes where run by the NCT!!Have now joined & having a really good time, made lots of friends etc...also dont forget the membership goes towards lots of their campaigns etc that they run to help improve maternity services etc.