Clarifying the LCBA’s Relationship with the Social Enterprise Featured on Narrow Escapes
Following the broadcast of series three of Narrow Escapes, the Lancaster Canal Boaters Association would like to clarify its relationship with the proposed social enterprise featured in three episodes.
The programme followed former LCBA Chair, Michelle, as she explored the idea of creating a social enterprise to support boaters on the Lancaster Canal. The proposed model involved professionals pledging at least ten hours of their time each week to provide services to boaters experiencing hardship or needing practical support.
The episodes included discussions about possible funding with a representative connected to the council, as well as footage of Michelle helping to clean a boater’s vessel.
Although the programme may have given some viewers the impression that this project was connected to the LCBA, the proposed social enterprise was not an LCBA initiative and was never formally approved, commissioned or operated by the association.
Much of the filming took place before the LCBA existed
A significant amount of the footage shown in Narrow Escapes was filmed before the Lancaster Canal Boaters Association had been formally established.
An initial attempt was made to create the proposed social enterprise at a meeting held at Garstang Marina on 10th September 2025 and chaired by Michelle. That initiative did not, to our knowledge, progress into a functioning organisation.
A separate meeting was then held at the Gregson Centre in Lancaster on 28 October 2025. At that meeting, a group of volunteers came together to form what became the Lancaster Canal Boaters Association. Michelle was elected as the association’s first Chair, but the LCBA was formed through the collective efforts of a wider group of members and volunteers. It was not established solely by one individual, nor was it created as a continuation of the earlier social-enterprise proposal.
Two different projects
The distinction is important.
The social enterprise featured on television was based around professionals donating substantial amounts of their working time to provide direct services to boaters.
The LCBA was formed as a membership association with a broader purpose: to represent boaters, promote their welfare, raise concerns with relevant authorities, develop partnerships and help connect people with appropriate support.
The LCBA did not authorise anyone to seek funding, make commitments or recruit professional volunteers for the social-enterprise project in its name.
No agreement was reached by the LCBA committee to adopt that model, and the television filming was not commissioned or approved by the association. In fact, The LCBA was not approached in any matter regarding the filming and much of the filming was set up without an enterprise actually being in place.
The LCBA is therefore not responsible for any promises, expectations or impressions created by the proposed project shown in the programme.
Recognising the positive intention
The association recognises that the original idea was motivated by a desire to support boaters who might be struggling.
Practical help, professional advice and community support can all make a meaningful difference. The LCBA remains committed to exploring realistic and sustainable ways of improving boater welfare.
However, goodwill alone does not establish an organisation or create an official LCBA programme. Any project involving funding, professional services, safeguarding, responsibility for vulnerable people or commitments made in the association’s name must go through the proper committee process.
This helps protect the people receiving assistance, the volunteers providing it and the association itself.
Changes in leadership
Michelle stepped down as Chair of the LCBA in June 2026.
Her departure does not change the history of how the association was formed, but it makes it especially important that the LCBA’s identity is not confused with projects pursued by any former officer in a personal capacity.
Committee members may be involved in their own community work, campaigning or charitable ideas. Those activities only become official LCBA work when they have been properly considered and authorised by the committee.
What the LCBA is doing
The LCBA continues to develop its own work on behalf of boaters along the Lancaster Canal.
This includes representing concerns about facilities and water levels, engaging with the Canal & River Trust, Lancaster City Council and Lancashire Police, developing welfare support, signposting boaters to existing services and building relationships with local organisations.
Where direct assistance is offered, it must be properly funded, responsibly managed and supported by appropriate policies.
The association’s work belongs to its members and is carried forward collectively by its committee and volunteers.
A friendly but necessary clarification
This statement is not intended to criticise the programme, its producers or the positive intentions behind the original social-enterprise idea.
It is simply intended to ensure that viewers, boaters and potential partners understand the correct position:
“The social enterprise featured in series three of Narrow Escapes was not created, sanctioned or operated by the Lancaster Canal Boaters Association. Much of the project was filmed before the LCBA existed, and it should not be presented as part of the association’s work.”
The LCBA remains focused on building a transparent, accountable and sustainable organisation that works with the whole boating community.