I would like to find a substitute for 0870 990 8077 which is the automated switchboard to put you through to booking for local branches of the NCT. There is a different NCT number available through "say no" but it is a main switchboard which can't connect you to local branches (at least not easily!)

Hi Derb, I work as a volunteer for the NCT.  The 0870 number you ring goes through to their offices in Acton, West London.  The money they raise through it is used as a fundraiser.  To contact your local branch try to get a number from
http:// www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com .  All the branches are listed by region so you should find what you're looking for.

Another number you can try is 0208 992 8637.

Fundraising. Yes, but most of the money on 087 goes to the (telecoms) operators...   :-[

derb wrote on Nov 11^th, 2005 at 11:40am:

I would like to find a substitute for 0870 990 8077 which is the automated switchboard to put you through to booking for local branches of the NCT. There is a different NCT number available through "say no" but it is a main switchboard which can't connect you to local branches (at least not easily!)

Very little information has been provided. Even the number you tried does not get a mention. ::)

The number tried is 020 8752 2323.

On this number, they "can't connect you". Is this can't or won't? Will they transfer you to the automated booking line when requested?


Rosebud wrote on Nov 18^th, 2005 at 6:19pm:

[...]The money they raise through it is used as a fundraiser.[...]

Ditto Tanllan's comments. The phone providers charge virtually the same price as BT or higher. Most of this is passed to the telephone company providing the 0870, which share some of this with the called party (in this case NCT). Most of this call charge will go to NCT 0870 provider, so it is really a very inefficient method of raising funds, ie it costs callers a lot more than the charity benefits.

I suggest you put this to them and see what they say. As it's a charity and they don't want to appear to be ripping you off, they may be happy to supply you with geographical numbers.

The website shows that they operate a whole host of 0870 numbers:

• Switchboard 0870 770 3236 -> 020 8752 2323
  
• Fax 0870 770 3237
  
• Press office 0870 770 3238
  
• Enquiry line 0870 444 8707
  
• Breastfeeding line 0870 444 8708
  
• Membership 0870 990 8040 -> 020 8752 2351
  
• Automated switchboard 0870 990 8077

I will keep this list up-to-date when new geographical alternatives are found.

I then tried all 100 numbers 020 8752 23xx. Many were personal extensions, as they go to someone's voicemail. The following may be useful:

• 2312 NCT branch support
  
• 2338 NHS Connect
  
• 2349 NCT Trading Ltd
  
• 2350 The answers with a message "We are sorry, all our enquiries team are busy at the moment..." out of hours. It may be worth trying during office hours to see if it is actually for the enquiries team.
  
• 2351 Membership hotline. Answers the same as the membership hotline 0870.
  
• 2354 Branch support team
  
• 2370 Policy research - early childhood
  
• 2384 Training support
  
• 2395 Antenatal booking line