Charities

Explore Caphouse, a modern colliery that witnessed more than two hundred years of coal production. Journey 140m underground and discover 180 years of mining history. Find out about the people and communities at the heart of the industry and discover the life of a miner at work and play. Learn about the story of coal and how it changed our nation forever. Every tour ‘darn pit’ is led by an ex-miner with a ‘reyt’ broad accent and loads of experience under his somewhat heavy tool belt. He’ll unhand you of your ‘contraband’, and talk you through 180 years of mining, explaining why he has every right to tell you to ‘shut tha’ trap’ and when you are ‘done and dusted’ you can carry on exploring life above ground.

NCI watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. They are trained to deal with emergencies offering a variety of skills and experience, and full training by the NCI ensures that high standards are met. High technology and sophisticated systems such as radar and telecommunications have vastly improved safety at sea, but there is no substitute for a watchful pair of eyes. Accidents do happen and a computer or technology cannot spot a distress flare, an overturned boat, a yacht with problems, a water sports enthusiast in difficulty, children or adults in trouble, or possible pollution incidents. That is why our lookouts and watchkeepers are an important service provider to all those who use our coastal waters, footpaths and coastline. Each station is manned by a team of fully trained and dedicated volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days a year. Stations are equipped with telescopes, radar, telephone and weather instrumentation as well as up to date charts. Close contact with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) aims to promote stations to Declared Facility Status in order to become an integral part of the National Search and Rescue structure. Each station is manned by a team of fully trained and dedicated volunteers who keep a daylight watch up to 365 days a year. Stations are equipped with telescopes, radar, telephone and weather instrumentation as well as up to date charts. Close contact with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) aims to promote stations to Declared Facility Status in order to become an integral part of the National Search and Rescue structure. Watchkeepers come from all walks of life and offer a wide range of skills and experience. Full training ensures that volunteers reach the high standard expected by the NCI and HM Coastguard. Regular assessments take place at all stations and refresher training programmes are run to maintain standards and keep watchkeepers up to date with the latest legislation or improved operational procedures.

The NCRC is a charitable organisation, working to support the housing sector, partner organisations and communities to tackle issues at a local level. Our mission is to close the inequality gap that exists in communities across the UK by providing training, support and resources for those people living in the lowest-income neighbourhoods. The National Communities Resource Centre was launched in 1991 and is based at Trafford Hall in Cheshire. We have a 25-year track record of achieving impact - developing people’s confidence, skills and capacity to tackle community, environmental and social problems.