Great Northern and Thameslink help SEND teens prepare for adulthood

Cambridge and Peterborough-based teenagers with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been shown the ins and outs of train travel by Great Northern and Thameslink.

The ‘Try A Train’ event, hosted by station teams from St Neots and Stevenage, formed part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Preparing for Adult SEND Festival: My Life: My Future that runs until 3 May.

Station Manager Karen Chudovsky, Station Assistant James Francis and Accessibility Engagement Manager Antony Merlyn gave 13 youngsters from Lime Academy Orton in Peterborough and Castle School in Cambridge a guided tour of both stations.

They showed them how to find out when trains are leaving, how to buy a ticket, the importance of keeping behind the yellow line and the help and support staff are there to provide.

They also handed out goodie bags which included printed copies of parent company Govia Thameslink Railway’s ‘Easy train travel guide’ that is specially designed for customers with learning disabilities.

During the 25-minute train journey between St Neots and Stevenage, Karen and Antony demonstrated the different features of the train. At Stevenage, after an overview of the station, everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch in one of the waiting rooms.

Emma Boughen of Lime Academy, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our young people to get out about in the community and experience train travel. They were looked after all day and felt safe and confident throughout.

“It was made very clear that Great Northern and Thameslink value and prioritise travellers with special needs and learning difficulties.”

Catherine Fielding, Teaching Assistant at from Castle School said: “Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the ‘try a train’ experience and it has been their highlight of the year so far! They now know how to access a train and that help is available.”

Antony Merlyn, Govia Thameslink Railway Accessibility Engagement Manager, said: “We want everyone to have the confidence to use our services. This tour has the potential to make a real difference to these young people as they prepare for adulthood and the next stage in their lives. We were delighted to be able to help.”

The council has linked the Try a Train session to its Regions of Learning Digital Badge. Individual young people and schools can download the badge which highlights achievements and skills gained from the sessions, such as confidence, motivation, listening, participation and independence.

Copies of Thameslink and Great Northern’s Easy Travel Guide and other helpful support tools can be found at either one of the companies’ websites on their Assisted Travel page.

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