Cambridge and Peterborough-based teenagers with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have participated in a “Try a Train” event hosted by station teams from St Neots and Stevenage

Thirteen youngsters from Lime Academy Orton in Peterborough and Castle School in Cambridge attended the event, which was part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Preparing for Adult SEND Festival: My Life: My Future.

The festival ran until 3 May. It is designed for young people who are beginning to think about their future and the next steps. The aim is to offer advice and practical experiences to support transition into adulthood.

The event fits well with Great Northern and Thameslink‘s determination to value and prioritise travellers with special needs and learning difficulties.

They saw it as a great opportunity for these young people to participate in the community by experiencing train travel.

Station Manager Karen Chudovsky, Station Assistant James Francis and Accessibility Engagement Manager Antony Merlyn gave the group a guided tour of St Neots and Stevenage stations.

They showed them practical skills (such as checking departure times and buying a ticket), as well as safety tips (such as keeping behind the yellow line).

They were also briefed on the support provided by station staff.

And, of course, they were also given goodie bags, which included printed copies of Govia Thameslink Railway’s ‘Easy train travel guide’ – specially designed for train customers with learning disabilities.

They were diligently cared for all day, and felt safe and confident experiencing all the ins and outs of adult travel.

And as a special treat, they were taken on a 25-minute train journey between St Neots and Stevenage, during which they were introduced to various features of the train. 

On arriving at Stevenage, everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch in one of the waiting rooms.

Thameslink operates passenger services from Bedford to Moorgate, Sutton, Wimbledon and Brighton.

Great Northern operates suburban rail services on the southern end of Britain’s East Coast Mainline and its associated branches. Services operate to or from London King’s Cross and London Moorgate.

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.

This isn’t the first time that GTR have organised a Try a Train day. Back in 2023, disabled passengers were treated to a Try A Train Day thanks to Southern.

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.”

Antony Merlyn, Govia Thameslink Railway Accessibility Engagement Manager