The 27th of April saw a special train host people with Dementia and their carers for a day out in celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III.

The journey was organised by Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and was supported by Greater Anglia and Braintree District Council with a journey from Witham to Braintree with 35 people in attendance.

Onboard the train, the group enjoyed music from a live saxophonist whilst travelling and also a visit to Braintree Town Hall for afternoon tea and a singalong.

Braintree railway station is Essex’ first ‘Dementia Friendly’ station. This has been achieved thanks to a collaboration between Greater Anglia, the Essex and South Suffolk CRP, Braintree District Council and the Alzheimer’s Society.

June Povey, Community Rail Officer for the Essex and South Suffolk CRP, and Dementia Champion, said: “It’s so important that the railway is accessible and inclusive and we were pleased to be able to offer a supported event to help those living with dementia and their carers enjoy an independent, fun day out. We hope that this will also help to build confidence about travelling by train in the future.”

James Bonehill, Greater Anglia’s Accessibility & Inclusion Manager, said: “It’s important to us that the railway in East Anglia is accessible to everyone, including those living with dementia and other hidden disabilities. So we are pleased to have worked with the Essex and South Suffolk CRP to facilitate this event designed to help make rail travel accessible to more people.”

Approximately 20,000 people live with Dementia in Essex and this number will increase over the next decade to over 25,000.