On Monday 18th July, Transport for Wales launched a “Talking Transport” toolkit to improve community engagement.

The toolkit aims to start conversations about transport in communities so that Transport for Wales can engage more and achieve goals set by the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

Both staff and members of the public can be trained and gain experience on how to deliver workshops which contain lots of resources which may be needed.

Those interested in workshops can discuss the following 7 topics related to Transport for Wales: Sustainability, Safety, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Marketing and Communication, Active Travel and Customer Experience. These topics are designed to give Transport for Wales insight into wants and needs and improve the service from there.

Two training events will be held per year. If you have an interest in a workshop, contact [email protected]

Kelsey Barcenilla, Stakeholder Manager and co-lead of the project said: “We’re committed to engaging with members of the public and ensuring diverse voices of the communities we serve are heard. The toolkit will provide an alternative method of engagement compared to online surveys which typically engage with specific demographics.

“We want to consider the long-term ambitions of future generations and by upskilling members of the community in becoming facilitators and promoting the toolkit to grassroot community groups and schools, we hope it will provide a sense of community ownership, as well as a platform to create change within the transport sector.

“Our hope is the ideas developed by communities through the workshops will inform the future of transport in Wales.”

Elise Jackson, Community Engagement Officer and co-lead of the project said: “I have had the absolute pleasure of facilitation the first Talking Transport pilot workshops, and I have been astounded at the positive response we have received from those taking part. These workshops give us a unique opportunity to gain insight into people’s thoughts and feelings around transport. But more than that, they allow us to open the door to public transport and active travel to individuals that may not have ever considered this an option before.

“We’ll draw on the knowledge, skills and experiences of local community centres, schools, community led projects and groups representing protected characteristics, which will be key to our shared success.”