London’s Waterloo station, managed by Network Rail, has received the Autism Friendly Award from the National Autistic Society, the foremost charity for autistic individuals in the UK.

This makes it the first station under Network Rail’s management to be honoured with this award.

The Autism Friendly Award, established by the National Autistic Society, is a premier accreditation program that assists businesses in contributing to the creation of more inclusive environments, thereby impacting the lives of autistic individuals across the UK positively.

To earn this award, businesses must adhere to certain standards and implement a framework that showcases to patrons their commitment to providing an autism-friendly environment and service.

Presently, over 300 organisations have achieved this accreditation.

The National Autistic Society acknowledges that Waterloo Station offers an abundance of information for autistic visitors.

This includes a video guide designed to bolster travel confidence. The guide aims to facilitate journey planning, provide a detailed preview of the station, and alleviate anxiety; this is also accessible on YouTube.

Additionally, Network Rail’s Autism Friendly Guide can be found online, along with details on the station’s less busy periods and guidance on how to seek assistance or information when required.

Frontline staff at London Waterloo have extensive training to assist individuals with autism. Presently, more than 70% of Network Rail staff have completed this training. Additional sessions are planned.

Before the Elizabeth Line was introduced, Waterloo held the title of the UK’s busiest railway station. Now ranked third, it saw 57.8 million entries and exits last year, serving as a significant entry point to the capital.

Waterloo accommodates commuters from southwest London and Surrey, along with long-distance travellers from Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth, and Exeter.

Despite its size presenting challenges, Network Rail has effectively managed these by directing passengers to less congested routes.

Moving forward, the station team will ensure comprehensive training for everyone, while disseminating those experiences throughout the region. Additionally, the team is collaborating with station partners to provide training aimed at making Waterloo even more accommodating for individuals with autism.

Network Rail is dedicated to providing equal access to the railway, and Waterloo is focused on enhancing this commitment by making the station as accessible as possible. The Waterloo Masterplan aims to increase long-term accessibility, while in the short term, the station team is exploring various methods to improve accessibility for all.

“I am delighted that we have taken this step to be accredited by the National Autistic Society with Autism Friendly Award Accreditation. There are approximately 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers. Autism is a spectrum condition and autistic people have a range of strengths and challenges. Without the right support or understanding, autistic people can become extremely isolated. We take pride in putting passengers first and taking simple steps such as informing visitors to the station when the quieter times are and training our staff about looking after autistic passengers. ”

Emily Haggard, Station Manager for Waterloo

While it is a privilege for London Waterloo station to receive this award, several other train companies are also taking steps to aid people with autism on train journeys across the country.

Most notably are TransPennine Express and Northern for its support to travellers in West Yorkshire.

Information on Autism Accreditation can be found on the National Autistic Society website: www.autism.org.uk/accreditation.